During a February training session, a serious injury sidelined the central midfielder for the entire season, altering River Plate’s plans for the year.
The start of the Martín Demichelis era at River faced early hurdles. In the first friendly of pre-season, Matias Kranevitter sustained a fracture, and on Tuesday, February 7, Bruno Zuculini suffered a severe injury in training. He had emerged as one of the team’s most important substitutes, adding depth in the midfield for the squad.
With Colo still two months from full recovery, the loss of Zuculini creates a significant gap in midfield depth. This situation leaves the coach with few options behind Enzo Pérez, especially after Felipe Pena Biafore, the other player capable of performing as a central midfielder, was loaned to Arsenal de Sarandí.
WHAT INJURY HAS BRUNO ZUCULINI SUFFERED
River Plate’s medical report was clear: the midfielder sustained a sprained left knee, and subsequent tests confirmed the suspicion of an anterior cruciate ligament rupture. The diagnosis marked a serious setback for a player who had become a key rotational piece in the squad.
On Tuesday, February 14, exactly one week after the injury, Zuculini underwent surgery at the La Trinidad de San Isidro Sanatorium, signaling the start of a long rehabilitation process that will require careful management to regain strength and match fitness.
EXPECTED RETURN AND MATCHES MISSED
Typically, this type of knee injury involves a recovery window of roughly six to eight months. The club, however, remains optimistic about a potentially shorter timeframe for Zuculini, given that the ligament rupture was not complete but partial. If progress is favorable, the midfielder could return in four to five months and resume team activities gradually.
As a result, Zuculini is expected to miss the first semester of the season, including the League tournament, the Copa Libertadores group stage, and the Copa Argentina debut. There is a possibility he could participate in the pre-season activities for the second half of the year, should the rehabilitation go smoothly.
STAKEHOLDER REACTIONS AND TEAM IMPACT
The injury topic has created a measurable ripple of concern among fans and staff alike. Analysts note that losing a flexible central presence in the midfield tightens the tactical options available to the manager. The squad must adapt to continued reliance on Enzo Pérez while exploring internal options and potential short-term reinforcements in the transfer window or on-loan arrangements that could fill the gap in the engine room of the team.
Meanwhile, supporters continue to show patience and rally behind the squad, understanding that injuries are part of the sport and that the club will navigate this hurdle with strategic planning and squad resilience.
Source: Goal