Atalanta return from the international break with a problem that interrupts Giacomo Raspadori’s early season rhythm. The forward has suffered a low-grade strain to the biceps femoris in his right thigh and is expected to be out for around 15 days.
The coach and the club
Maurizio Sarri will certainly be without Raspadori when Atalanta resume their Serie A campaign against Venezia on Monday 12 October. The former Napoli player may also be unavailable three days later, when the Bergamo side face Pafos in the Conference League.
The injury arrived while Raspadori was with Italy. He started the Nations League meeting with Turkey in Bursa and impressed during the opening half, but did not return after the interval. Nicolò Cambiaghi took his place after Raspadori felt the effects of a collision during the match.
Medical examinations confirmed the hamstring issue, prompting his departure from the national-team camp at Coverciano and his return to Bergamo. He will also miss Italy’s upcoming fixtures against France and Turkey.
The absence removes a player Sarri had initially treated as a regular starter. Raspadori began each of Atalanta’s first four competitive matches of the season, across Serie A and the Conference League qualifying rounds. More recently, however, his role had shifted: he was an unused substitute against Roma before appearing from the bench against Cagliari and Juventus.
His recovery will now determine whether he can rejoin the group in time for the European appointment with Pafos, while Atalanta prepare for Venezia without one of their attacking options.
