Venezia’s difficult return to Serie A has taken another turn against them, with captain Gianluca Busio facing a spell of at least six weeks out after sustaining a right hamstring injury in Friday’s defeat to Fiorentina.
Venezia captain Busio sidelined as Lazio visit approaches
Medical examinations confirmed an intratendinous strain in Busio’s right biceps femoris. Venezia expect the American midfielder to miss a minimum of six weeks, although his eventual return will depend on how the injury develops and the absence could prove slightly longer.
It is a serious loss for Giovanni Stroppa at a moment when his side need stability before Lazio arrive at the Penzo. Busio has become one of the principal figures in this Venezia group, taking the captaincy from Michael Svoboda and carrying responsibility at both ends of the pitch. Against Fiorentina, he supplied the pass for Adams to put Venezia ahead, having also created Yeboah’s goal at Frosinone earlier in the campaign.
The incident itself reflected the work Busio has been doing for the team. He was injured while chasing down Njie, who had broken clear in the direction of Filip Stankovic’s goal. His ability to restart moves from midfield has been important, but so too has his willingness to cover ground when Venezia are under pressure.
Stroppa’s selection concerns are growing. Sverko, Adorante and Franjic were already unavailable, while two potential alternatives in the middle, Dagasso and Basic, could not feature against Fiorentina. Helgason came on for Busio that night, and even if Dagasso or Basic return in time for Lazio, neither is likely to be fully match-ready.
The midfield absence arrives alongside a broader problem that Venezia must address quickly. They have conceded 11 league goals and 15 across six competitive matches when their Coppa Italia fixtures are included. Four consecutive defeats have left the newly promoted club alone at the foot of the table, with defensive uncertainty increasingly shaping the early weeks of their season.
The situation carries an uncomfortable echo of Venezia’s previous Serie A return in 2001. Cesare Prandelli, like Stroppa a coach who had guided the club to promotion, lost the opening five league matches. After a defeat in Florence, Maurizio Zamparini dismissed him. Stroppa is now preparing for Lazio with a thinner squad and without the captain who had been central to Venezia’s attempt to find their footing.
SEO Title: Venezia captain Gianluca Busio ruled out for at least six weeks
SEO Description: Venezia will be without captain Gianluca Busio for a minimum of six weeks after the American midfielder suffered a right hamstring injury against Fiorentina.
