European league play resumes this weekend, but an inordinate number of key players will be missing for some of the bigger clubs. AC Milan is arguably the hardest hit by the injury bug. Having already endured a terrible first half of the season, Milan will now be without World Player of the Year Kaka and newcomer Alexandre Pato — who’s scored four goals since becoming eligible last month — when it hosts Siena Sunday. Gennaro Gattuso will also be missing, while Ronaldo and Marek Jankulovski are doubtful.
Elsewhere in Serie A, AS Roma captain Francesco Totti needs to pass a late fitness test to be available for Saturday’s match against Reggina. Italy champ Inter Milan will be boosted by the news that playmaker Luis Figo has returned from a broken leg.
In Spain, Barcelona will be without defender Gianluca Zambrotta, Sylvinho, midfielder Deco and forward Bojan Krkic for Saturday’s crucial clash away to Sevilla. Champion Real Madrid will be missing Guti, Fernando Gago, Wesley Sneijder and defenders Christoph Metzelder, Gabriel Heinze, Miguel Torres and Pepe for Sunday’s home match against Valladolid. Striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is doubtful after sustaining an injury against Almeria last weekend.