Nesta needs time to recover
Tuesday, December 16, 2003
Article summary
AC Milan and Italy defender Alessandro Nesta has been ruled out for up to a month after surgery.
Article body
Operation in Rome
The 27-year-old Italian international has been suffering from a cartilage problem in his left knee and was operated on in Rome. Nesta did not play in Sunday's European/South American Cup match against CA Boca Juniors, which Milan lost 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Roma showdown
Nesta will miss the home game against Udinese Calcio on Sunday, the last before the Serie A winter break, and will also be unavailable for the Rossoneri's trip to league leaders AS Roma on 6 January. Second-placed Milan are three points behind Roma, but have played one match less than Fabio Capello's side.
Prague trip
Milan will hope that Nesta returns to full fitness in time for the UEFA Champions League first knockout round first-leg game against AC Sparta Praha in the Czech Republic on 24 February. The former S.S. Lazio player appeared four times for the holders in the first group stage.
