Stanković struggling to face Liverpool
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Article summary
Dejan Stanković's thigh injury is not so serious but FC Internazionale Milano's Serbia midfielder remains a doubt for the first-leg encounter against Liverpool FC.
Article body
FC Internazionale Milano coach Roberto Mancini can breathe a sigh of relief after tests showed that Dejan Stanković did not suffer a serious injury during Sunday's 1-0 Serie A victory at Empoli FC.
Thigh problem
Stanković did, however, strain his left thigh muscle in Tuscany and is rated doubtful for Inter's UEFA Champions League tie against Liverpool FC on 19 February. He limped off after 49 minutes of the Empoli game. The 29-year-old Serbia midfielder will begin his recovery programme immediately, with a view to being fit for at least the second leg of the first knockout round encounter with Liverpool, on 11 March.
Interruptions
Stanković, who is also out of his country's midweek match against F.Y.R. Macedonia, has been restricted by injuries this season, making ten league appearances and four in the UEFA Champions League. Roberto Mancini's Inter lead Serie A by eight points from AS Roma.
