Andrade blow hits Portugal and Juve
Monday, September 24, 2007
Article summary
Defender Jorge Andrade will miss the rest of Portugal's UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying campaign after fracturing his left kneecap playing for Juventus at the weekend.
Article body
Juventus centre-back Jorge Andrade will miss the rest of Portugal's UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying campaign after fracturing his left kneecap during Sunday's 2-2 draw with AS Roma.
Surgery
The 29-year-old was carried off 53 minutes into the match and the extent of the injury was diagnosed after an examination this morning. Andrade will undergo surgery this week, and though it is not known how long he will be out for he will certainly miss the remainder of Portugal's Group A qualifiers, which conclude at home to Finland on 21 November.
Deportivo switch
Andrade, who has been capped 51 times by his country, joined Juventus from RC Deportivo La Coruña in July for a fee that could rise to €10m. Portugal are third in Group A, four points behind leaders Poland and two off Finland, though they have a game in hand on each side. Portugal are next in action away to Azerbaijan on 13 October, when coach Luiz Felipe Scolari serves the first game of a four-match ban, subject to appeal.
