Alidu Seidu faces lengthy absence after injury in Stade Rennais’ defeat

Stade Rennais’ difficult start to the season took another blow on Sunday, with central defender Alidu Seidu suffering what could be a serious knee injury during their 1-0 loss to LOSC Lille. The injury, sustained in the 11th minute, casts doubt on the remainder of Seidu’s campaign and could see the Ghanaian sidelined for months.

Seidu was forced to leave the pitch early after feeling pain in his left knee following a seemingly routine clearance.

Medical staff quickly attended to the 25-year-old, who attempted to continue but was visibly struggling.

Unable to carry on, Seidu was substituted for Mikayil Faye, leaving the pitch on crutches, and was visibly upset by the setback.

Initial assessments by the medical team raised concerns over a potential cruciate ligament injury. Seidu, speaking at half-time, confirmed that early tests had suggested the possibility of a serious injury.

The defender remained on the bench, watching the remainder of the match from the sidelines as his team battled against Lille, who secured the win with a stunning goal from Edon Zhegrova.

Seidu is scheduled to undergo further medical examinations in the coming days to determine the full extent of the damage.

If the tests confirm a ruptured cruciate ligament, it would be a significant blow for both the player and Stade Rennais.

A long recovery period would likely sideline Seidu for several months, leaving the club to cope without one of their key defensive figures for a substantial period.

This injury adds to a challenging beginning to the season for Stade Rennais and their new manager, Jorge Sampaoli.

The defeat to Lille, coupled with Seidu’s injury, marks a disappointing debut for the Argentine coach, who is already facing pressure to find solutions to improve the team’s form.

With a season that has already presented several obstacles, Sampaoli will need to quickly regroup and address the defensive crisis in the absence of Seidu.

As Stade Rennais look to recover from this setback, they will be hoping that further tests bring some good news, but for now, the future remains uncertain for both Seidu and the club.