Cristian Volpato will miss at least four weeks of action after scans confirmed a moderate-grade flexor injury to his right thigh sustained during Sassuolo's 2-2 draw with Bologna on Sunday. The Australian winger has begun his rehabilitation programme, but manager Alberto Aquilani faces a significant setback as his side fights for promotion in Serie A.
Recovery Timeline and Missed Fixtures
Medical assessments identified a second-degree muscle strain in the flexor of Volpato's right leg—a moderate injury on the three-tier classification scale. The club has confirmed he will definitely miss the upcoming matches against Juventus (13 September) and Monza (18 September). An international break follows, creating uncertainty about whether Volpato can accelerate his comeback.
Should recovery proceed on schedule within four weeks, the 22-year-old could return around AC Milan's visit on 11 October. However, if rehabilitation extends to five or six weeks—the likely upper end—he faces additional absences against Como and Lazio, compounds Sassuolo's injury concerns during a critical promotion push.
Impact on Sassuolo's Season
Volpato has been integral to Aquilani's attacking system, operating as a dynamic wide player in Sassuolo's bid to challenge for Serie A's top spots. His absence removes an important creative outlet precisely when consistency matters most. The injury also raises broader questions about depth in wide areas as the squad enters an intense fixture schedule.
- Volpato sidelined for minimum 4 weeks; potentially 5-6 weeks
- Definite misses: Juventus and Monza
- Doubtful for: Como, Lazio, and possibly AC Milan
- International break offers recovery window mid-September
Sassuolo must now navigate their September fixtures without their influential right winger, leaning on squad alternatives to maintain momentum. The window before Volpato's likely October return will define whether the Neroverdi can sustain their promotion challenge or fall behind in Italy's second tier.
