Lazio are facing the prospect of seeing out the remainder of the calendar year without star striker Ciro Immobile after he sustained an injury. The captain will miss crucial Serie A games, including the Derby della Capitale against bitter rivals AS Roma.
Immobile limped off during the Aquile’s goalless draw against Udinese on Sunday and according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, medical tests conducted at the Padeia International Hospital in Rome on Wednesday brought bad news.
The former Sevilla and Borussia Dortmund striker has suffered a second degree strain in his left thigh and is expected to be ruled out for at least 45 days, putting paid to his involvement in any football before the World Cup break.
Indeed, Immobile is set to be ruled out for seven matches and will not be available for Serie A clashes against Roma, Atalanta and Juventus, as well as games against Salernitana and Monza.
He will also miss Lazio‘s crucial Europa League encounters against Midtjylland and Feyenoord, as the Biancoceleste battle to secure qualification from Group F.
Sarri’s options are limited
Without another recognised striker in his squad, Lazio coach Maurizio Sarri has a considerable task on his hands to maintain the Aquile’s attack in the closing weeks of 2022.
Immobile‘s absence may require the ex-Chelsea boss to get creative, with wingers Felipe Anderson and Mattia Cancellieri potentially being deployed as makeshift strikers.
However, it is far from convincing and fans will hope that Immobile‘s injury may be the catalyst to force president Claudio Lotito into investing in another No. 9 in the January transfer window.
