Ivory Coast international Odilon Kossounou is set to miss several weeks of action after suffering an injury during Atalanta’s 1-1 draw with Bologna on September 28. The 23-year-old centre-back, who joined the Serie A side from Bayer Leverkusen on loan this summer, sustained a grade I injury to his right biceps femoris, according to reports from Sky Sport Italia.
Kossounou, a key addition to Atalanta’s defensive line, had to be substituted after picking up the injury.
Medical evaluations suggest the Ivorian will be sidelined for at least two to three weeks, marking a significant setback for both the player and the club.
His absence compounds an already challenging period for Atalanta, who are currently grappling with a growing injury list.
The defender’s unavailability comes at a time when Atalanta are dealing with multiple injuries to key players, including Gianluca Scamacca, Giorgio Scalvini, Matteo Ruggeri, and Berat Djimsiti.
The accumulation of injuries has left manager Gian Piero Gasperini with limited options as the team navigates a busy fixture schedule in Serie A and European competitions.
Kossounou’s loan move to Atalanta, which includes an option to buy for €25 million, was seen as a strategic boost to their defensive depth.
The club had high hopes for the Ivorian’s ability to strengthen their backline, and his performances so far have shown promise.
However, this early injury has now delayed his opportunity to fully establish himself in the squad.
The timing of Kossounou’s injury is unfortunate for both the player and Atalanta.
With crucial fixtures on the horizon, including domestic and European clashes, Gasperini will have to rely on the remaining fit defenders to fill the gap left by the Ivorian.
The club is no stranger to injury struggles, but the current situation is testing their squad depth to the limit.
Despite the setback, Atalanta are hopeful that Kossounou will make a swift recovery. The team’s medical staff is monitoring his rehabilitation closely, with the aim of getting him back to full fitness in time for key matches later in the season.
For Kossounou, the injury represents his first major hurdle since arriving in Italy, but both player and club will be eager to see him return to action and make an impact once again.
As Kossounou works his way back to fitness, Atalanta will continue to adjust and manage their squad carefully.
The Serie A side will need to rely on their remaining defenders and hope that no further injuries disrupt their campaign.
For now, Kossounou’s return to the pitch is expected by late October, when he will aim to help his team in their push for domestic and European success.
