Internazionale coach Roberto Mancini has again criticised his medical staff after striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic was ruled out of the top-of-the-table clash with Roma with a knee injury.

"As usual the diagnosis is different to what he has actually done," he told Gazzetta dello Sport.

Mancini was angry with doctors in November over the time it was taking for midfielder Patrick Vieira to recover from injury.

The Swede missed Sunday's 1-1 draw at Sampdoria with a knee problem and is now ruled out of the Roma game ahead of the Champions League last 16, second leg against Liverpool on March 11.

Strike partner Julio Cruz is also a doubt with Javier Zanetti and Dejan Stankovic set to play despite knocks. Chilean midfielder Luis Jimenez returns to the squad after injury.

Roma will be without suspended defender Cicinho while Christian Panucci is struggling as they bid to beat Inter and close the gap at the top to six points.

Roma were the last team to beat Inter in the league when they won 3-1 away last April, while they also overcame Roberto Mancini's side in last season's Italian Cup final and this term's Super Cup. Inter won 4-1 at Roma in September, though.

Cristiano Zanetti is suspended after being sent off in Juve's controversial 2-1 defeat at Reggina on Saturday but fellow midfielder Antonio Nocerino returns from a ban.

Kaka is out of Milan's trip to Catania on Wednesday with a knee problem which he hopes to shrug off in time for next Tuesday's Champions League second leg with Arsenal. Clarence Seedorf is expected to be fit, however.

Fiorentina hope striker Giampaolo Pazzini can recover from a knock for Wednesday's visit of Livorno with Adrian Mutu ruled out for four weeks with a knee problem and Christian Vieri suspended.

Lazio, who were abused by fans at training on Monday following Sunday's 1-0 loss at bottom side Cagliari, are without suspended Valon Behrami for Wednesday's home game with Reggina while their injury list continues to be long.

In-form Sampdoria travel to Atalanta on Wednesday with striker Claudio Bellucci missing with a knee injury. Antonio Cassano will be looking to fill the void with another mesmerising performance.

Reuters