Materazzi to miss Barcelona game

Just days before the resumption of the UEFA Champions League after its winter break, Group A leaders Internazionale FC have suffered yet another injury blow with the news that influential defender Marco Materazzi will miss the game against FC Barcelona on 18 February through injury.

Thigh problem
The Italian international suffered a thigh injury in the warm-up before Saturday’s Serie A game at AC Chievo Verona, a match Inter went on to lose 2-1. Inter currently have a maximum of six points from their two Champions League games in the second group stage, but face a formidable test in Barcelona, with the Spanish side level on points with their opponents having won all ten of their European games so far this season.

Defensive absentees
Materazzi’s is the latest in a long line of injuries that have disrupted Héctor Cúper’s side’s domestic challenge, with fellow defender Daniele Adani also currently on the sidelines, while Francesco Coco has only recently returned to the squad after being out for more than a month with a knee injury.

Injury problems
Inter are also missing injured midfield players Matías Almeyda, Emre Belözoglu and Nicola Beati, while in attack Hernán Crespo is also ruled out with a thigh injury and Gabriel Batistuta is ineligible, having already played in the Champions League with AS Roma.

Gamarra called up
The former AC Perugia defender was replaced by Carlos Gamarra against Chievo, and Cúper is expected to keep faith with the 32-year-old Paraguayan international for the trip to Spain.