Unfortunate news has emerged for Torino that could complicate Marco Baroni`s plans as he looks to build a new four-man defense. The newly appointed Granata coach might find himself with very limited certainties available right from the start of pre-season training.
The primary issue centres around Saba Sazonov. The Georgian centre-back reportedly suffered a fresh physical problem in his right knee during the closing stages of the match against France at the U21 European Championships. Initial indications point towards a meniscus injury.
This comes as unwelcome news for the player, who in the anxious moments after the incident even feared the worst: a potential re-rupture of the cruciate ligament, the same one he underwent surgery for at the end of September, which kept him sidelined for several months.
Fortunately, the most severe scenario seems to have been avoided. Nevertheless, Sazonov is forced to end his involvement in the European tournament prematurely. As confirmed by the Georgian federation, he will not be available for the upcoming matches.
With his knee still swollen, the defender is set to return to Turin in the coming days, even before the official squad gathers at Filadelfia. His return is solely for evaluation by the club`s medical staff. Torino`s doctors will assess his condition to determine whether surgical intervention is required or if a conservative treatment approach can be attempted. For their part, Torino is understandably cautious and prefers to wait for a thorough examination of the player`s condition before making any definitive statements.
Meanwhile, Baroni must take note of the situation. As things stand, among the few central defenders available to potentially form a back four is Alessandro Dellavalle, who has just returned from his loan spell at Modena. However, if Sazonov faces a lengthy recovery period, reinforcements will be necessary. This situation could potentially accelerate the club`s transfer market assessments, as they are now compelled to review their priorities for defensive signings.
