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Inter coach Claudio Ranieri: Sneijder injury scared me
The Netherlands international was forced off midway through the second half of the draw with Palermo but the playmaker confirmed on Thursday that he only suffered a minor knock
03-Feb-2012 8:37:50 PM
By Mark Doyle
Getty Images
Inter coach Claudio Ranieri has admitted that he feared Wesley Sneijder was facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after the player picked up an injury in Wednesday's 4-4 draw with Palermo.
The Netherlands international was forced off midway through the second half of the game at San Siro but the playmaker confirmed on Thursday that he had suffered nothing more than a minor knock, much to Ranieri's relief.
"All the tests were negative," the Roman told reporters on Friday. "Thank goodness, because I was really scared."
However, Ranieri revealed that Sneijder is unlikely to feature in Sunday's rearranged clash with Roma, while Ricardo Alvarez is also set to miss the trip to the Stadio Olimpico.
Diego Milito is set to start and Ranieri was keen to pay tribute to the veteran striker for not losing faith in himself during his recent barren spell in front of goal.
Milito played an integral role in the Nerazzurri's treble triumph of two seasons ago but he struggled terribly to find the back of the net last year and in December he was 'awarded' the Bidone d'Oro for 2011.
However, the former Genoa striker scored in Inter's victory over Lecce just before the winter break and he has not looked back since, racking up eight goals in his last five Serie A outings, including all four of his side's goals in the draw with Palermo.
Ranieri, who stuck by the Argentine in difficult times, could not be happier for the forward.
"As a coach I never hear of the good stuff first, more negative ones," the former Chelsea boss mused. "But with Diego, I had faith in a champion that was getting close [to his best form].
"He was always in the right place, he was working so hard, but the ball would just not go in for him.
"But I always thought that as long as I continue to see a positive person, I will continue to put him on the field.
"This, therefore, is a victory for him, his family and his status as a true champion."
Inter's clash with Roma had originally been scheduled to go ahead on Saturday evening but the game was put back until Sunday because of the heavy snowfall in the Italian capital.
The Netherlands international was forced off midway through the second half of the game at San Siro but the playmaker confirmed on Thursday that he had suffered nothing more than a minor knock, much to Ranieri's relief.
"All the tests were negative," the Roman told reporters on Friday. "Thank goodness, because I was really scared."
However, Ranieri revealed that Sneijder is unlikely to feature in Sunday's rearranged clash with Roma, while Ricardo Alvarez is also set to miss the trip to the Stadio Olimpico.
Diego Milito is set to start and Ranieri was keen to pay tribute to the veteran striker for not losing faith in himself during his recent barren spell in front of goal.
Milito played an integral role in the Nerazzurri's treble triumph of two seasons ago but he struggled terribly to find the back of the net last year and in December he was 'awarded' the Bidone d'Oro for 2011.
However, the former Genoa striker scored in Inter's victory over Lecce just before the winter break and he has not looked back since, racking up eight goals in his last five Serie A outings, including all four of his side's goals in the draw with Palermo.
Ranieri, who stuck by the Argentine in difficult times, could not be happier for the forward.
"As a coach I never hear of the good stuff first, more negative ones," the former Chelsea boss mused. "But with Diego, I had faith in a champion that was getting close [to his best form].
"He was always in the right place, he was working so hard, but the ball would just not go in for him.
"But I always thought that as long as I continue to see a positive person, I will continue to put him on the field.
"This, therefore, is a victory for him, his family and his status as a true champion."
Inter's clash with Roma had originally been scheduled to go ahead on Saturday evening but the game was put back until Sunday because of the heavy snowfall in the Italian capital.
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