Adriano given time to recuperate

FC Internazionale Milano have decided to give out-of-form striker Adriano some time away from the club as the Brazilian continues to struggle with confidence and fitness.

World Cup hangover
"Many players are finding it hard after playing at the [FIFA] World Cup," Inter coach Roberto Mancini said. "He will be in Brazil for about a week and then he will start working again so we can have him back in top form by the end of the year if not earlier." The 24-year-old is yet to score this season, continuing a barren run of form that saw him notch just three league goals after the turn of the year last term.

Vital player
Adriano scored twice for Brazil at the World Cup but Mancini believes that, in hindsight, he was not given enough time to recover. "He had four weeks' holiday this summer, but the tiring year and disappointment in Germany have affected him. It would have been better if we had given him another ten days," he said. "He is devastating when in form and we need him back to his very best."

Champions League loss
That belief is built on Adriano's formidable record since crossing the Atlantic to join Inter from CR Flamengo in 2001. He has since scored 68 league goals at a rate of around one every two games since for the Nerazzurri and in loan spells at ACF Fiorentina and Parma FC. Adriano also boasts impressive past performances in the UEFA Champions League but is now set to miss the remainder of Group B. Inter lie third with three points from as many matches.