Bruno Zuculini underwent knee surgery: when could he return and what alternatives does Demichelis have in the role?

the footballer of River, Bruno Zuculini He successfully underwent surgery this Tuesday morning at San Isidro’s Sanatorio de La Trinidad, for which he is already starting his rehabilitation for the partial tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee that he suffered on Tuesday last week. According to the deadlines indicated by the doctors, the central midfielder is separated from his goal in four or five months, to return to the football field as soon as possible.

In that very unfortunate action, which took place towards the end of training while the team was carrying out tactical work, the blond midfielder had put pressure on Nacho Fernández and had taken the wrong step.

However, he quickly wiped the slate clean: The next day he went to support his teammates at RiverCamp and showed up with a smile when a fan asked him for a photo at the venue’s entrance. “Bruno gave us the opposite of what we expected. He gave us smiles, joy and positive energy, which is what it is. Yesterday (Tuesday 7 February, the day of the injury) was a very sad day, we know that from his influence, but we must continue to work, he asks that we continue to work”, he highlighted Martin Demichelis at the press conference to present the reinforcements.

That same attitude is what Zuculini will try to have in his recovery process, which will make him lose everything this first semester. After the post-operative period, the man from Buenos Aires will have to undergo kinesiology sessions and then resume his physical work and, finally, regain contact with the ball.

Zuculini’s injury has had a major impact on the coaching staff and the squad as the 29-year-old midfielder is a very important piece within the campus structure, both emotionally and its preponderance in the group. But Zucu is also important in football: without Matías Kranevitterrecovering from fracture of right ankle, and with Philip Pena on loan to Arsenal, is the spare wheel of Enzo Perezbeing its natural substitute.

So, Demichelis only had Enzo Pérez left for that position. And although the coach had the option to insert a player by regulation, he decided not to and to make do with what he has. “It wasn’t my intention to go on the market to have four central midfielders in three months. (Matías) Kranevitter is doing very well after his injury, (Nicolás) De La Cruz is getting closer. There are players like (Agustín) Palavecino, (Rodrigo) Aliendro, Tomás Castro Ponce and even Leandro González Pirez and Milton Casco who give variations to be able to play in that position,” the coach justified.

Indeed, It was Palavecino who entered for Enzo Pérez Sunday in the second half of the 2-1 victory against Argentinos Juniors at the Monumental. Palavecino had already played with Marcelo Gallardo on a couple of occasions as a central midfielder. And Demichelis, when he took over as coach, already in his first preseason he thought of it as a possibility beyond the emergencies due to injuries.