Balaban out of Zaragoza showdown
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Article summary
Club Brugge KV have lost top scorer Boško Balaban before their vital UEFA Cup fixture against Real Zaragoza.
Article body
Ligament damage
The 26-year-old Croatia striker suffered ligament damage in his left knee in the 2-1 defeat by RSC Anderlecht on Saturday, and will be out of action for the rest of the year. This season, Balaban has scored nine goals in 15 domestic games for the Belgian league leaders who, against Zaragoza, need just match FK Austrian Wien's result at FC Utrecht to make certain of progress from Group C.
Other problems
Club Brugge's task has also been complicated by the absence of Ukrainian midfielder Serhiy Serebrennikov, who is out for three weeks with a thigh injury. Meanwhile, Brazilian attacker Victor will serve the first game of a three-match European suspension when the Spanish side visit the Jan Breydelstadion.