Atalanta have been dealt a blow as their versatile wing-back Davide Zappacosta has been sidelined due to injury. The Italian international suffered a first-degree lesion in his left soleus muscle during the recent match against Udinese, forcing him to leave the field at the beginning of the second half.
The diagnosis came after Zappacosta underwent medical examinations following his early exit from the game. The club expects him to be out of action for 1-2 weeks, depending on his recovery progress.
This setback adds to Atalanta’s growing injury concerns, with Kolasinac, Djimsiti, and De Ketelaere already on the sidelines. The defensive department has been particularly affected, mirroring the situation at Juventus, who are also grappling with injuries to key players like Bremer and Cabal.
Manager Gian Piero Gasperini now faces the challenge of finding tactical solutions to cope with Zappacosta’s absence. Raoul Bellanova, who replaced Zappacosta against Udinese, is likely to see increased playing time in the coming fixtures.
The international break may provide a welcome opportunity for some players to recover, but Atalanta faces a crucial period upon resumption of club football. They are set to face Parma in Serie A before a potentially decisive Champions League clash against Young Boys. The schedule then intensifies with league matches against Roma and Milan, followed by a high-profile Champions League encounter with Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid.
