Palacio: Genoa forward Rodrigo Palacio will miss his club’s next three games with a groin injury. A scorer in the 2-0 win at Siena on Saturday night, Palacio suffered the injury during that match. Genoa will now be without their top goalscorer against Inter tomorrow and matches against Bologna and Napoli before Christmas.
Life-saver: Rochdale goalkeeper David Lucas, who was knocked unconscious in a League One match against Sheffield United, credited quick-thinking opponent Richard Creswell for saving his life yesterday. The keeper collided with United defender Neill Collins during Saturday’s match and collapsed to the ground before Cresswell put the 34-year-old into the recovery position to stop him swallowing his tongue. “As dramatic as it sounds to say he saved my life, maybe he did,” Lucas said.
Marchetti: Lazio goalkeeper Federico Marchetti could be out for at least a month after sustaining an injury during Saturday’s 3-2 win away at Lecce. Lazio said Marchetti strained a thigh muscle after running after a misplaced pass. Initial reports say the goalkeeper would be sidelined until the new year.
A gamble: Robin van Persie admitted a “gamble” put the icing on the cake of Arsenal’s 125th anniversary celebrations on Saturday. Skipper Van Persie struck a stunning 70th-minute left-foot volley to clinch a 1-0 victory over Everton at the Emirates Stadium as a host of legends looked on from the stands. “Normally I would have touched (the ball) to get it right. It was a bit of a gamble, but in the end a very nice goal inside the post. I can’t wish for more,” Van Persie said.
Foda goes: Defending Austrian champions Sturm Graz and their long-serving German coach Franco Foda said they would part company at the end of the season. “I am personally very sorry that SK Sturm and Franco Foda are going their separate ways. Foda was one of the most successful coaches in the club’s 102-year history,” club president Gerald Stockenhuber said. The side are currently fifth in the table.
Schlaudraff: Jan Schlaudraff was unable to help Hannover beat Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday, but he should get many more chances after signing a new three-year contract. The 28-year-old put pen to paper with Hannover announcing the deal after the 0-0 draw at the Niedersachsenstadion.