Juventus Hit By Injuries
Copyright � 1999 Nando Media
Copyright � 1999 Agence France-Presse
TURIN, Italy (March 22, 1999 12:01 p.m. EST http://www.sportserver.com) - Juventus' hopes of beating Manchester United at Old Trafford in the European Champions' League semifinals in two weeks have suffered another blow with an injury to key defender Paolo Montero.
Montero sprained a thigh muscle during the second half of Sunday's 1-1 draw with AS Roma and tests on Tuesday are expected to rule him out for at least a month.
Montero was in agony as he limped down the players' tunnel and his chances of him recovering by April 7 are minimal.
The defender is only the latest injury setback to face Juventus coach Carlo Ancelotti, who already has doubts over French star Zinedine Zidane and international goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi.
Zidane is wearing a protective guard over his knee after twisting it during last Wednesday's 1-1 draw in Athens against Olympiakos and is highly doubtful to recover match fitness in time to play at Old Trafford.
Peruzzi, who has been ruled out of Italy's Euro 2000 qualifiers over the next 10 days, has knee cartilage trouble.
The goalkeeper was on the subs' bench for Sunday's game and club officials fear that only an operation will clear the damage.
