COMMENT
Thomas Vermaelen has a long, sad history of injuries. The brittle Belgian has always been the unfortunate victim.
That changed, though, during a training session at Trigoria on Wednesday, when a strong challenge by the centre-half left his Roma team-mate Mohamed Salah writhing on the ground in agony. Vermaelen immediately offered his sincerest apologies but they were of little comfort to Salah - or indeed Roma coach Luciano Spaletti.
The winger's injury could not come at a worse time for the Giallorossi, who will face city rivals Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday in the most eagerly awaited and evenly balanced Rome derby for many years.