Veteran Juventus defender Lucio will be out of the game for several weeks after it was confirmed that the Brazilian had a complete tear of his ankle ligament.
Lucio, who joined Juve from Inter this summer, sustained the injury during training on Friday.
“The X-ray and MRI scans have revealed a complete tear of the defender’s anterior talofibular ligament,” Juve said in a statement on their website.
It is not clear how long Lucio, 34, will be out of action for but reports said he is expected to be sidelined for up to four months.
Redknapp hopes for top job
Harry Redknapp is hoping to return to manage at the top level in England after starting the Premier League season without a club. The 65-year-old was sacked by Tottenham in June after four years at the helm at White Hart Lane.
Redknapp still has the same enthusiasm and love for the game and while insisting he is not rushing to return, he admits he would come back for the right job.
He said: “Honestly, I enjoy working with good players. When you’ve been working with top players it’s very difficult to work with inferior players if you like.
“I think I’m capable of managing at the very top level so we’ll see what comes up.”
Labbadia refuses to point finger
Stuttgart coach Bruno Labbadia refused to blame Vedad Ibisevic for his side’s 1-0 defeat to Wolfsburg late Saturday.
The Bosnian striker saw an 87th-minute penalty saved and he then missed the rebound before Bas Dost scored a last-minute winner for the Wolves.
“Vedad has done so much good for us since arriving and these are just things that happen, unfortunately,” Labbadia said.
“I also missed penalties so I know the situation. It is a shame for the team because otherwise we would have been on course for victory, but we cannot change that now.”
Jovetic going nowhere – owner
Fiorentina co-owner Andrea Della Valle has confirmed that Stevan Jovetic will not be sold.
The Montenegro forward scored a stunning brace as the Viola came back from a goal down to beat Udinese 2-1 in the opening game of the Serie A season on Saturday.
The 22-year-old has reportedly attracted the interest of Juventus and Manchester City over the summer but Della Valle insisted Jovetic would remain in Florence.
“Jovetic is going nowhere. He’s under contract and there is no release clause. A gentleman’s agreement exists, but we will not be letting him go now,” he said.
“As far as I’m concerned the transfer window should close when the championship starts.”
Kagawa hailed
Japanese newspapers yesterday hailed playmaker Shinji Kagawa after he netted his first goal in England on his home debut following his move to Manchester United.
The £17 million signing from Borussia Dortmund, touched in from close-range to score United’s second goal in a 3-2 victory over Fulham on his first appearance at Old Trafford.
“Kagawa played the central role in United’s offence when Rooney was left out,” the Sports Nippon daily said, reporting on the Japanese international’s appearance on its front page.
“Kagawa became the star in the Theatre of Dreams!” said the Nikkan Sports tabloid.
Kagawa told Japanese media after the match that United demanded a high level of performance, telling Jiji Press he was confident he could live up to expectations.
Dortmund draw minnows in cup
Holders Borussia Dortmund will face second division minnows VfR Aalen in the German Cup’s second round after the last 32 draw while Bayern Munich will face second-tier side Kaiserslautern.
In the only all-Bundesliga tie of the round, to take place on October 30 and 31, B. M’gladbach visit Fortuna Duesseldorf.
Fourth-division giantkillers Berliner AK, who inflicted a shock 4-0 defeat on Hoffenheim earlier this month, have been drawn at home again to face second-division 1860 Munich.
Neymar back to lift Santos
Neymar scored twice to give Santos a 2-1 win over Luiz Felipe Scolari’s troubled Palmeiras in the Brazilian championship last weekend.
Santos were struggling until 10 days ago but have won three games in a row since Neymar returned from playing in the Olympic Games tournament.
Neymar curled a majestic free-kick into the top-left corner from 30 metres and just after the hour, the 20-year-old scored again with a low shot.
Santos climbed to ninth with 26 points as they completed the first half of their campaign while Palmeiras have dropped to 16th in the 20-team table.