Šimunić ruled out of Dinamo's Madrid trip
Sunday, November 20, 2011
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Defender Josip Šimunić will miss GNK Dinamo Zagreb's UEFA Champions League visit to Group D leaders Real Madrid CF after suffering a calf injury ahead of the matchday five encounter.
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GNK Dinamo Zagreb centre-back Josip Šimunić will miss his side's UEFA Champions League visit to Group D leaders Real Madrid CF on Tuesday after suffering a calf injury.
The 33-year-old played every minute of his country's UEFA EURO 2012 play-off victory against Turkey but was rested by coach Krunoslav Jurčić for Dinamo's domestic game with RNK Split on Friday after picking up the problem. However, Šimunić has not recovered and is expected to be replaced by Argentinian defender Leandro Cufré for the matchday five trip to the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.
"Šimunić has injured his calf and will not be in my plans for the match in Madrid," said Jurčić, who will also be without defender Šime Vrsaljko, who has a torn hamstring. Dinamo cannot reach the knockout stage having lost their opening four games, while Madrid confirmed their passage with a 2-0 victory at Olympique Lyonnais last time out.
