Giovinco voices fitness concerns

Sebastian Giovinco says an ankle injury means he is in doubt for Juventus’ Champions League tie against Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

Juve defeated Inter Milan 2-1 in their Serie A clash at San Siro on Saturday but some gloss was taken off the victory when Giovinco was caught by a bad tackle from Esteban Cambiasso deep into stoppage time, an incident which earned the Argentine a straight red card.

Giovinco limped off the field and confirmed to Tuttosport that he is a doubt for the quarter-final first leg in Munich.

“My ankle hurts and we are a little worried,” he said.

The Derby d’Italia defeat leaves Inter seventh in Serie A and the frustration in Cambiasso’s lunge was evident, though the midfielder was quick to express his regret at the challenge.

“Yes, I apologized to him (Giovinco) and I think that is the most important thing,” he said.

“I am sure that Sebastian understood. Anyone who has played football knows that if you wanted to hurt someone, you wouldn’t go in as low as that. I arrived a split-second late.”

Inter coach Andrea Stramaccioni was also quick to leap to his player’s defence.

“I have already told everyone that Esteban is a good man and a true professional,” he said.

“No one needs to lecture him about this.”