Milan lament injury crisis

(GETTY IMAGES)

AC Milan captain Paolo Maldini has revealed his dismay at the latest injury setback for the Rossoneri after it was confirmed that Christian Abbiati will not play again this season.

The goalkeeper has been told he requires knee surgery after damaging ligaments during Saturday's 5-1 rout of Siena following a collision with one of his own defenders.

"The series of injuries that we have suffered this season is crazy," said Maldini.

"We're also sorry for a player like Christian who has proven his worth and this injury arrived in a normal clash during the game.

"At first we just thought that it was a knock to his tibia, but then he felt pain to his knee.

"It's a pity because Abbiati was having a great season. All of the team-mates care about him because he is a great champion."

Sampdoria have fuelled the speculation linking Antonio Cassano with a summer move after refusing to confirm whether the striker will still be at the Luigi Ferraris next season.

The former AS Roma and Real Madrid striker has resurrected his tarnished career with the Genoa club this season following a string of disciplinary problems.

But sporting director Giuseppe Marotta can not rule out the possibility of the 26-year-old frontman moving on at the end of the season.

He said: "For the time being he is in Genoa and we are enjoying his performances.

"With regards to what will happen next season, we will have to evaluate at the end of the campaign."

Meanwhile, Internazionale captain Javier Zanetti has spoken of his pride after equalling the appearance record of a club legend.

The 35-year-old Argentinian moved level with former defender turned president Giacinto Facchetti on 634 appearances with Sunday's 2-0 victory over Fiorentina.

Zanetti has been a permanent fixture in the Inter line-up following his arrival from Banfield in 1995.

However, he remains behind Giuseppe Bergomi in the all-time leading appearance stakes as the long-serving defender played more than 750 games for the Nerazzurri.

"I still lack many appearances to catch Bergomi, he played in many games," admitted Zanetti.

"For me, it is already a source of pride to have reached Facchetti's accomplishments and to do it with a victory."