Inter To Be Without Julio Cruz Until 2009

Julio Cruz played in last night’s Serie A encounter for Inter with Lazio last night, but the Argentinian had to be replaced during the first half of his side's 3-0 win over the Biancocelesti in Rome after he was injured.

“Fortunately it's nothing too serious,” said Inter’s team physician Franco Combi. Cruz was left off Inter's team list for Tuesday's Champions League match with Werder Bremen.

Coach Jose Mourinho has called up Adriano, Ricardo Quaresma, Mario Balotelli and Amantino Mancini to join Zlatan Ibrahimovic in attack for this week’s Champions League outing, but Cruz may have been an important part of the Portuguese tactician’s plans for the midweek match.

Inter has already qualified for the knockout phase, but is still attempting to come top in its Champions League group in order to avoid another top placed team in the draw for the knockout stages.