In a setback for Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta, defender Isak Hien has suffered a first-degree muscle injury to his left hamstring, as revealed by recent medical examinations. The Swedish defender is believed to have sustained the injury during a training session following the recent clash against Frosinone. The initial diagnosis suggests a typical recovery period of around two weeks for this type of injury, ruling Hien out of the upcoming fixture against Udinese on January 27 and potentially the clash against Lazio on February 4. While his return for the match against Genoa on February 11 remains a possibility, Hien’s progress will be closely monitored in the coming weeks.
Isak Hien, the first official acquisition for Atalanta in the current transfer window, arrived from Verona for a fee of 8.5 million euros plus bonuses. Having made his debut against Roma at the Olimpico on January 7, Hien had quickly integrated into Gasperini’s plans, making the injury news a disappointment for both the player and the team.
On a brighter note, Gasperini can find solace in the return of Hans Hateboer to group training. The Dutch winger had already participated in a partial session with his teammates on January 24 and now appears to have fully recovered from the muscular issue that sidelined him for the last three league matches. While Hateboer’s potential inclusion in the squad for the Udinese clash remains uncertain, his return to training is a positive sign for Gasperini and the team, providing additional depth in the squad, particularly in the wide areas.
