Geovanni to miss Liverpool test

By Francisco Acedo  

Geovanni to miss Liverpool test

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Benfica coach Ronald Koeman has received a massive blow with the news that influential midfielder Geovanni will be unavailable for both ties against Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League.

The Brazilian was injured during the league match with Penafiel, and medical tests have confirmed that the midfielder has ruptured a muscle in his right leg.

The minimum amount of time that Geovanni will be sidelined is one month, meaning that he will definitely miss both European matches.

Koeman was understandably disappointed to hear of the news but insisted that his side must now regroup in order to progress.

"The absence is important for the scheme of the team but we now need maximum effort from the rest of the side," the Dutch coach said.

Geovanni was said to be so unhappy with the news that he refused to speak to the press, and has now been pencilled in a March 12 return.