Koulibaly Confirmed to Be Out Until Early 2022
Fears about Kalidou Koulibaly’s injury have proven justified. The central defender will be out until 2022, and could also miss the Africa Cup of Nations.
Following a Grade II thigh strain, Napoli will not have Kalidou Koulibaly available until early next year. He could also miss the Africa Cup of Nations. However, Fabian Ruiz and Lorenzo Insigne, who also came out injured last night against Sassuolo, may face Atalanta this weekend.
Last night, the Partenopei suffered a setback as they were 2-0 ahead at the Mapei Stadium before falling apart in the final stages. A lot of it was due to Koulibaly’s injury. Gian Marco Ferrari’s equalizer was also a free header, that might have been avoided had Koulibaly remained available.
Now, tests have shown that the Senegal international center-back has suffered a Grade II strain at the left femoral bone bicep. This type of injury will keep Koulibaly inactive until the New Year. It is expected that Koulibaly will be out of action for four to five weeks.
It is still to be seen if he can recover in time to play in the Africa Cup of Nations. In which case, he would not play for Napoli for two whole months.
The two other players who limped off against Sassuolo are hopeful that they will be playing in Serie A next weekend. Fabian Ruiz had an inflammation of his adductor tendon on his right leg. Insigne suffered a twinge to his left soleus muscle.
A Napoli official club statement asserts that both will be re-evaluated before Saturday’s match against Atalanta.
After Victor Osimhen was injured after a head collision, the Partenopei will be missing him for three months. Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa has been out of action for a few weeks as well.
These are headaches for manager Luciano Spalletti with which he will need to deal with quickly if Napoli are to remain at the top of the Serie A table.