Lazio Defender Expected to Miss Roma & Inter Milan Clashes Before Returning in January

Lazio are bracing themselves for some dire news, as Josip Sutalo could be ruled out of action for several months due to a second-degree lesion.

The Croatian joined the Biancocelesti last summer on loan with an option to buy from Ajax. He has been an automatic starter in Gennaro Gattuso’s starting lineup, at least since recovering from a previous injury. But unfortunately for the 26-year-old, he suffered an untimely setback during last Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Napoli at the Stadio Maradona.

According to Il Corriere dello Sport, Sutalo won’t return before the turn of the new year. Gattuso revealed the centre-back will undergo clinical tests in the coming days to determine the extent of his injury.

But as the Roman newspaper explains, he will remain on the sidelines for at least two months after a second-degree injury. If diagnosed with a muscle tear, the recovery period could be extended to three months.

In either case, Sutalo won’t return to action before January. This means he’ll skip the Derby della Capitale clash against Roma on December 13, as well as the Italian Super Cup against Inter Milan on December 22. In his absence, Diogo Leite and Danilho Doekhi will be vying for a starting role alongside Oliver Provstgaard at the heart of the backline.

Nuno Tavares also picked up a muscle issue in Naples. While the Portuguese left-back’s condition isn’t considered as serious as Sutalo’s, he also risks missing out on the Roman Derby, as he could be facing one month in the treatment room.

Adam Marusic and Davide Frattesi also made premature returns from their national team camps after suffering physical problems, so they’re expected to undergo the necessary medical tests in the coming days. On the positive side, Mattia Zaccagni has been making important strides in his recovery program, so he could return to action against Torino on November 28.