Torino’s run of bad luck continues as midfielder Ivan Ilic has left the Serbian national team camp due to injury concerns, compounding the club’s woes following Duvan Zapata’s serious knee injury.
On what has been a challenging Monday for the Granata, the club received confirmation of Zapata’s anterior cruciate ligament tear along with damage to his medial and lateral meniscus. Now, Ilic’s early departure from international duty has added to coach Paolo Vanoli’s concerns.
The Serbian Football Association announced that Ilic will miss upcoming matches against Switzerland and Spain due to Achilles tendon inflammation. They stated, “The high number of matches is slowly taking its toll, and there is no national team that doesn’t suffer injuries from club matches. The Serbian national team and Torino midfielder will not be able to participate in the upcoming official matches. Ilic will now return to Italy to better understand the current state of the injury.”
Ilic will undergo further medical examinations upon his return to Turin to determine the extent of his injury. This setback comes at a particularly challenging time for Torino, who face a difficult run of fixtures after the international break.
Following their recent 3-2 defeat to Inter, Torino are set to play Cagliari away on October 20th, followed by matches against Como, Roma, Fiorentina, and a derby clash with Juventus on November 9th. This stretch of games will be especially demanding without captain Zapata and potentially without Ilic.
As Torino awaits more detailed information on Ilic’s condition, Vanoli will need to reassess his squad options and tactical approach for the upcoming crucial matches. The club’s depth will be tested as they navigate this injury crisis while aiming to maintain their competitive position in Serie A.
