MILAN, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini
has criticised France boss Raymond Domenech for playing Patrick
Vieira in both the recent Euro 2008 qualifiers despite the
midfielder carrying a hamstring injury.
Vieira is now out of Sunday's Serie A match at home to
Catania and is doubtful for Wednesday's Champions League game at
Fenerbahce, where the Italian champions will also be without a
catalogue of defenders due to injury and suspension.
Vieira played in last Saturday's 0-0 draw with Italy on his
home ground and then turned out for the 1-0 defeat by Scotland
on Wednesday which knocked France down to third in Group B.
In the run up to the games, the France captain said he would
not put himself at risk but later criticised Inter for saying he
was not fit for the Scotland game.
'He was not able to play two matches in four days,' Mancini
told reporters on Saturday.
'It is clear he could have been a little more careful, but
there was also the coach. For a player, it is not easy to not go
with the national team.
'Now I don't know how long he will be out. He hasn't trained
since Wednesday. For the Champions League I believe it is pretty
difficult for him to recover.'
Inter defender Cristian Chivu could be out for around a
month after dislocating his shoulder in Romania's 3-1 friendly
defeat in Germany on Wednesday while Marco Materazzi is still
recovering from a long-term thigh problem.
Centre back Walter Samuel is also struggling with injury
while Nicolas Burdisso, Maicon and Ivan Cordoba all have
long-term Champions League suspensions following the mass brawl
in the game with Valencia last season.
'We have just three defenders. Four if we consider (Javier)
Zanetti as a full back. It's a fairly difficult situation,'
Mancini said looking ahead to Wednesday's clash in Istanbul.
Forgotten striker Adriano, troubled by fitness problems and
a lack of form, has been called into the squad for the Catania
game as cover for Sweden forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
'His attitude has definitely been positive in recent days,'
Mancini said of Adriano. 'We will see how Zlatan is tomorrow.
All the internationals came back very tired.'
