Chennaiyin FC skipper Rafael Crivellaro ruled out of the rest of the 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL) season due to an ankle injury he encountered in the fixture against ATK Mohunbagan on 29th December.
In the 62nd minute of the match, he faced a clumsy tackle from ATK midfielder Pronay Halder, that left him on the floor. He managed to stand up and attempted to get back to play but wasn’t fit enough to continue.
Although it was expected that he would be back after one or two weeks. After subsequent medical tests the officials have confirmed a serious injury to the ligament in his left ankle which will keep him out for at least two months.
Club’s Statement about Crivellaro:
The playmaker will return to his home to Brazil to recover from this long-term injury. The club officials released a statement about his injury,
“Following assessment by the club’s medical team, it has been learned that Rafael has suffered a ligamentous injury on his left ankle which will rule him out for at least two months and he will now return home to Brazil.”
“Everyone at CFC wishes Rafael a speedy recovery. The club is working on signing a replacement player. The club will not make any further comment.”
– Chennaiyin FC
Chennaiyin FC situation after Rafael Crivellaro:
The club has already suffered a big defeat against Hyderabad FC due to the absence of the playmaker. After the 4-1 defeat the Chennaniyin FC manager Csaba László couldn’t hide his frustration over lack of creativity in the absence of the skipper. He said,
“I think I try today to have players in the middle with Chhangte and Memo, they can play football but there was no creativity. Someone who can take the ball and make those passes, we missed that today. Even if you pass the ball but there is no movement off the ball, if there is no ideas and creativity, it doesn’t make any difference as we saw today,”
The Brazilian playmaker has been a vital player for the team. His creativity and his influence in the game is something extraordinary. He has played 7 games for Chennaiyin FC and had a goal and an assist each to his name.
Chennaiyin is currently eighth in the standings, with 10 points from nine games. The club need to sign someone soon to replace the injured playmaker.
