Petrić Dishes Out Bad News for Hamburg

Hamburger SV striker Mladen Petrić will miss his side's UEFA Cup Round of 16 decider at Galatasaray AŞ on Thursday after tearing a right thigh muscle during Sunday's 2-0 home win against FC Energie Cottbus while his replacement in that game, Piotr Trochowski, is struggling to be fit for the trip to Turkey.

Early exit
After being taken off less than half an hour into the Bundesliga match, Petrić said: "I was running and felt a blow to my muscle." The 32-times capped Croatian international – who has scored five UEFA Cup goals this season – has been ruled out for two weeks. Trochowski, who came off the substitutes' bench to score his side's second goal against Energie, stretched right knee ligaments and is rated as doubtful ahead of the return leg. Hamburg and Galatasaray are locked at 1-1 after the opener in Germany last week.

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Croatian pairing
Petrić joined HSV from BV Borussia Dortmund in August last year and has shone alongside Ivica Olić in an all-Croatian forward line. In addition to his goals in this year's UEFA Cup, Petrić has scored ten times in 21 Bundesliga games. Coach Martin Jol made light of his absence, saying: "There are international matches next weekend so we won't miss him then." Germany midfielder Trochowski, 24, has played seven UEFA Cup games this season and accrued 24 top-flight appearances scoring five goals. Hamburg are fourth in the standings, four points adrift of leaders Hertha BSC Berlin.

( UEFA )