Is Mancini Upset at Inter's Team Doctors?

Is Mancini Upset at Inter's Team Doctors?
By Nathan L. Redd

When Inter Milan host Fenerbahce later today, Roberto Mancini's squad will be without several usual playmakers. Inter is still in great position to move on, but according to the Turkish Daily News, Mancini recently took a swipe at the team's own medical staff, claiming they were keeping players off the pitch. The claims offer yet another black eye to Italian calcio, already suffering from public relations problems following the recent death of a Lazio fan.

Mancini's side scored a big 2-1 victory over surprising Atalanta over the weekend, but Mancini wasn't pleased going into the gigantic Fenerbahce matchup. According to the recent Turkish Daily News report, Mancini believes team doctors are sabotaging the team's chances by keeping important players off the pitch. Mancini also told England's Sky Sports "We knew it would be a hard match because we had not played for two weeks, we have some injuries and other players were returning from international duty."

Forgotten throughout Inter's injury troubles is the fact that Fenerbahce is also not completely fit heading into the game. They have played without their starting goalkeeper for most of the season, and star midfielder Stephen Appiah is still not 100%. Striker Mateja Kezman is still recovering from knee surgery, and Deniz Baris and Tumer Metin have also both missed time recently. Despite the injuries, Fenerbahce and Inter Milan will battle it out later tonight in Milano for UEFA Champions League group supremacy.