Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedel is reportedly facing a race against time to make himself available for the upcoming clash against Sassuolo. According to Corriere dello Sport (via LazioNews24), the 29-year-old shot-stopper suffers from a hematoma in his pelvis, an injury he picked up during the Champions League game against Celtic.
Provedel has been a rare shining light in an otherwise underwhelming start to the new campaign for Lazio. The former Spezia man has featured in all ten Biancocelesti matches across all competitions. Given Maurizio Sarri’s side’s porous defense, it’s not a surprise he only has one clean sheet to his name so far.
However, Provedel’s scintillating form for Lazio has not gone unnoticed. Italy boss Luciano Spalletti has handed the highly-rated keeper a long-awaited call-up for the October fixtures against Malta and England. Unfortunately, Provedel has had to turn down the summon to buy more time to recover from a niggling injury problem.
His contribution at the Stadio Olimpico has been immeasurable, hence the tensions around the Lazio camp ahead of their Serie A meeting with Sassuolo. If Provedel fails to recover in time, his second fiddle, Luigi Sepe, will stand between the sticks for the first time since completing his loan arrival from Salernitana in the summer.
Stranded in the lower reaches, seven points adrift of fourth-placed Fiorentina, Lazio can ill-afford another slip-up on home turf. But Provedel’s potential absence is a game-changer for Sarri’s troops, considering how heavily they have relied on him in the early goings.
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