Moratti: No Adriano excuse

Massimo Moratti says Internazionale should not use Adriano's absence as an excuse.

Internazionale supremo Massimo Moratti has urged his side not to use the possible absence of star striker Adriano as an excuse in their upcoming UEFA Champions League quarter final with Milan.

The city rivals face each other in the first leg on April 6, and their Brazilian talisman could well miss the tie after straining his knee ligaments against Fiorentina.

The former Parma man has been on sensational form so far this season, and netted a hat trick in the previous round as the Italian outfit saw of reigning champions Porto.

Whilst Moratti expressed hope that Adriano would return for the highly anticipated fixtures, he also insisted that Internazionale have enough strength to cope with his absence.

"I hope Adriano could recover, it depends on many things," said Moratti.

"Milan too have had serious problems with Shevchenko, it's clear that strikers have these risks.

"For the moment we must not be victims, we must wait to see what happens, we have no excuses, the team have every chance to make good things.

"I think Inter have possibilities and that they depend, anyway, on character, determination and the awareness that we can do good things without victimisation."

The Serie A side have a host of striking talent with such players as Christian Vieri, Obafemi Martins and Julio Cruz all on their books.

The Nerazzurri have also been linked with a summer swoop for Real Madrid winger Luis Figo, although Moratti denied that he was looking to bring in the Portuguese legend.

"I haven't read it and I don't believe in it," Moratti continued.

"For the moment it seems to me that there is nothing, we have a lot of players and all of them are valuable, we don't make other plans."