Inter Milan have officially left Adriano out of the 25-man squad
submitted to UEFA late on Saturday night.
This sees the relationship between the player and the club sink to
a new low, even though Roberto Mancini played it cool.
"For me it has been a great disappointment to leave out any
player," he said after the game against Empoli.
"My relationship with Adriano? I have spoken with him a lot in
these past years and there has always been great confidence on my
part.
"As I said in yesterday's press conference, I'm convinced he will
return to being the great champion he was. He has to do his bit,
and we will also do more to help him. Together, we can do a
lot."
Earlier in the week, Adriano refused to move to the likes of Parma
or Lazio, or to England, on loan, and the general opinion is that
this is Inter's response.
However, that the player will not be Cup-tied, and thus be a
lucrative winter target for top clubs, might just have played a
part too.
