Brozovic adds to Inter's woes after suffering toe fracture

Already without Ivan Perisic and Mauro Icardi for the next two matches, Inter lost influential midfielder Marcelo Brozovic for several weeks when an X-ray discovered a toe fracture in his right foot.

Perisic and Icardi were both handed suspensions for misconduct toward referee Nicola Rizzoli in last Sunday's feisty Derby d'Italia loss to Juventus, but forgotten in the mayhem was Brozovic's early departure in the second half.

The Croatian will "be evaluated over the coming weeks," Inter said in a statement Tuesday, but Italian daily La Gazzetta dello Sport indicated the 24-year-old will miss fixtures against Empoli on Feb. 12 and Bologna on Feb. 19.

It remains to be seen whether Brozovic will be available for selection Feb. 26 against Roma.

Without Icardi, Perisic, and Brozovic in the lineup, Inter loses 25 goals of the 37 it's scored in Serie A this season.

Brozovic in particular has enjoyed a new lease on life after Stefano Pioli's appointment in November. Frozen out of the squad earlier this season because of "unprofessional behaviour," Brozovic returned to midfield and scored key goals against Fiorentina and Genoa.

As a reward for his renewed efforts, he signed a contract extension until 2021 that includes a €50-million release clause.

Geoffrey Kondogbia, who replaced Brozovic in last weekend's contest, is expected to pick up the slack in the middle of the park for the remainder of the month.

The defeat to Juventus put a halt to Inter's seven-match Serie A winning streak, leaving the Nerazzurri in fifth place.