De Zerbi has to do without his Japanese star: “It’s an important problem. I think two-three months at least”
@
dchinellato
– London
“I fear we have lost Karou Mitoma for the rest of the season.” Roberto De Zerbi announces it with the gravity of the coach that he knows he will have to do without his star for the hottest part of the season, which also includes the double match with Roma in the round of 16 of the Europa League. The Brighton coach announced the Japanese player’s injury in the press conference on the eve of tomorrow’s FA Cup match against Wolverhampton, the next match for the seagulls expected next week at the Olimpico by the Giallorossi.
the injury
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The Japanese, 26, missed last Saturday’s match against Everton, which Brighton drew 1-1 in the 95th minute due to a back injury. It was in doubt until the end, but the latest update is devastating. “It’s an important problem – said De Zerbi of the Mitoma problem -. I think 2-3 months at least, maybe his season is already over.” Mitoma, a left winger who with the Italian coach last season made the leap in quality to become the star of the team (7 goals and 5 assists in 33 games in the historic 2022-23 ride up to 6th place in the Premier League, the best result in the club history), has been living with a series of injuries since December that have limited him to 3 goals and 4 assists in 19 games this season. He stopped for the first time before Christmas due to an ankle problem, he returned to play in the Asian Cup with Japan, after missing the first phase, but was back in the starting lineup when the Premier League resumed. His last match, perhaps his last of 2023-24, remains the one against Sheffield United on 18 February, in which he played 75 minutes.
the substitutes
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Mitoma is one of the cornerstones of Brighton’s attack, because he knows how to jump the man so well on the left that he has ended up in the sights of the big clubs. De Zerbi replaced him on Saturday against Everton with Simon Adingra, an Ivorian who usually plays on the right, but for the double match against Roma he could also use Julio Enciso, who has just returned after 6 months out, or James Milner, a veteran former Liverpool and Manchester City soon to return. Ansu Fati, at Brighton on loan from Barcelona, can also play in the position. However, Mitoma’s absence will be heavy.
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