Müller resigned to missing finals
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Article summary
Olympique Lyonnais' Swiss centre-back Patrick Müller said he has "a 0.00001 per cent chance" of playing at UEFA EURO 2008™ after tearing cruciate ligaments.
Article body
Switzerland central defender Patrick Müller looks set to miss UEFA EURO 2008™ and the rest of the season with Olympique Lyonnais' with a serious knee injury.
Serious injury
The 30-year-old left the pitch 40 minutes into a reserve team game at the weekend with scans revealing a complete rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. A statement from the French champions said: "The player will undergo surgery by the end of the week. His will not be available again for six months."
'A 0.00001 per cent chance'
The 76-times capped international is resigned to missing UEFA EURO 2008™ in his home country, saying: "I have written off this competition. I'm out for six months - it starts in early June. I have a 0.00001 per cent chance of being ready. I'd so much have loved to be able to play in front of my home crowd." Switzerland will kick off UEFA EURO 2008™ against the Czech Republic in Basel on 7 June 2008. They will then face Turkey on 11 June and Portugal four days later, also at St. Jakob-Park.
Earlier injury
Müller played in only two competitive games this season before club medical staff detected a problem with his right knee, but the former FC Basel 1893, RCD Mallorca, Grasshopper-Club and Servette FC defender seemed to be on the road to recovery prior to the new setback. To add to his anxieties, his contract with Lyon is set to expire in June. Without him, the French side need a win against Rangers FC on Matchday 6 to progress to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. If the Ligue 1 leaders fail, they will move on to the UEFA Cup Round of 32 in the new year.