Athletic Club: Djaló ruled out of Europa League Clash with Roma

The Europa League last sixteen first leg with AS Roma has come too soon for Athletic Club star Alvaro Djaló. The forward is still in recovery after sustaining a sprained ankle against Real Betis. This came only days after suffering an injury to the same ankle in January’s match with Besiktas.

Djaló initially injured his LCL in Istanbul on the 22nd of January.  He then took further damage to his LCL as well as his MCL in Sevilla just over a week later on the 3rd of February. A month later, he still hasn’t completed the necessary steps in his recovery. The medical team will not clear Djaló to play this week.

After suffering repeated ankle sprains in a short time, it’s essential that Athletic Club exercise caution with the 25 year old. Currently, Djaló has only just resumed outdoor training. He still needs a week before being able to rejoin the group. This means the tie with Roma is unfortunately beyond his reach.

Alvaro Djaló joined the Red and Whites this summer in a €15m transfer from Braga. Last season, he starred in thirty league games in Portugal. He racked up eight goals while adding five assists for Braga, capturing the attention of Athletic Club. With only one goal contribution in thirteen games, he will be aiming to up his game upon his return. 

Athletic Club have been one of the highest performing teams in this season‘s Europa League. In the league phase, they won six out of their eight games to finish second.

The Basque side would be hoping to reach their second Europa League final, this time in their Katedrala – the San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao. Previously, they reached the 2012 final, losing 3-0 to Atlético Madrid. They go into Thursday’s first leg with AS Roma as slight underdogs.