Bayern centre-half Lucio has played his last match of the 2007-8 campaign. The Brazil international requires surgery to correct a muscle tear in his lower right leg and will be sidelined for ten days afterwards, head coach Ottmar Hitzfeld announced following the Bavarians’ 2-0 victory over Arminia Bielefeld on Wednesday evening.
The news of the op means Lucio’s season has come to a premature end on the eve of his 30th birthday. The big-hearted player sustained the injury some time ago, but he opted to play through the pain until the double was secured. Alongside Martin Demichelis or Daniel van Buyten, he has been part of the Bundesliga’s best central defence this season, and has often deputised as team captain for Oliver Kahn.
Lucio has made 24 appearances in the German top flight this term and 13 in the UEFA Cup, all of them over the full 90 minutes. He also started all six of Bayern’s German Cup ties, being substituted only once. The Brazil skipper has three goals to his name, one in the Bundesliga and two in the UEFA Cup.
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