Rome  - Juventus midfielder Mohamed Sissoko is possibly the most high-profile victim in a Serie A weekend that saw several big teams lose players to serious injuries.

Juve coach Claudio Ranieri only fielded Sissoko late in the game against Torino on Saturday to spare him for Tuesday's Champions League tie with Chelsea.

But the last 10 minutes of the city derby were a nightmare for the Mali footballer who suffered a fractured left foot - a setback for Juve who remain seven points behind leaders Inter.

The Turin club said that the 24-year-old was to be operated on Tuesday and will be unavailable for the remainder of the season ending in late May.

Also left bruised at the weekend were Inter, who had to replace defenders Nicolas Burdisso and Marco Materazzi during a 2-0 win at Genoa.

Argentina's Burdisso, 27, hurt both his right leg and left knee and also faces a lengthy rest, while Materazzi, 35, faces a three-week absence as a result of a muscle injury.

Although not first-team players in Jose Mourinho's side, both defenders could have been reliable substitutes for Inter's visit to Manchester United in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Bad news also hit Roma, who confirmed that Chilean David Pizarro, 29, and Brazilian Cicinho, 28, will miss Wednesday's Champions League visit by Arsenal.

Pizarro could not finish the 1-1 draw Saturday with Udinese after suffering a serious muscular injury that was still being evaluated by Roma.

Cicinho's troubles were much worse as he hurt the right knee he was operated on while at Real Madrid during training on Sunday.

Roma said he was to undergo surgery Monday to treat a previously damaged ligament. (dpa)