Inter Defender Materazzi Fractures Cheekbone

Inter succumbed 2-1 to Werder Bremen in the last group match of the Champions League, but they have also lost defender Marco Materazzi after he suffered a fractured cheekbone during that match, according to Channel4.

The 2006 World Cup winner was involved in a rough collision with Markus Rosenberg in the first half and proceeded to exchange words with his opponent afterwards.

However, there was clear swelling on Materazzi's face and he was substituted by Maxwell at half-time. The injury will likely keep the former Perugia player off the field until January 2009.

Inter have dealt with several injuries at the back this season already - Walter Samuel, Nicolas Burdisso and Nelson Rivas have spent time on the sidelines, while Cristian Chivu is also currently out of action.

Jose Mourinho explained that the fracture would keep Materazzi out for some time. The 'Special One' also was injured with a cut on his forehead, which supposedly occurred when he accidentally clattered into his car door.

Adam Scime