Lazio defender Josip Sutalo is expected to remain sidelined until 2027 after sustaining a serious injury during a recent match.
The 26-year-old Croatian suffered a second-degree lesion during a 1-1 draw against Napoli at the Stadio Maradona, as reported by The Laziali.
The defender, who joined the club on loan from Ajax last summer, will miss significant fixtures including the upcoming Derby della Capitale against Roma on Dec. 13.
He is also expected to miss the Italian Super Cup clash against Inter Milan on Dec. 22, according to Yahoo Sports.
While the exact recovery timeline is still being assessed, initial reports from Il Corriere dello Sport suggest he will be out for at least two months.
Gennaro Gattuso noted that the center-back will undergo further clinical tests to determine if the injury is a muscle tear, which could extend his absence to three months.
In his absence, Diogo Leite and Danilho Doekhi are expected to compete for a starting position alongside Oliver Provstgaard.
The club is also managing other fitness concerns, as Nuno Tavares picked up a muscle issue in Naples that could sideline him for a month.
Additionally, Adam Marusic and Davide Frattesi returned early from national team duty due to physical problems and are awaiting medical evaluations.
There is some positive news for the squad, however, as Mattia Zaccagni is progressing well in his recovery program.
The midfielder could potentially return to action for the match against Torino on Nov. 28, according to reports from The Laziali.
The medical staff continues to monitor all players closely as they prepare for the remainder of the Serie A campaign.