HSV blow: Lokonga sidelined for now! | OneFootball

Albert Sambi Lokonga had to leave the field injured during the away match in Heidenheim. He will not be available to HSV in the near future.

On Monday afternoon, the club announced that they will have to do without the midfielder for the time being. After “thorough examinations using an MRI scan,” a tear of the lateral ligament in his left ankle was diagnosed. Lokonga was somewhat lucky under the circumstances. He is expected to be out for only a few weeks.

The 26-year-old, who joined from Arsenal for a modest €300,000 in the summer, suffered the injury shortly before halftime during the away victory in Heidenheim (2:0) after colliding with Patrick Mainka. The Belgian tried to return to the pitch for the second half, but quickly signaled that he could not continue. He was replaced by Damion Downs at the restart.

Lokonga missing in crucial matches

HSV clearly felt the absence of the ball-secure Lokonga. After the break, they increasingly lost control of the game and were pushed back into their own half by the powerful home side. Keeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes prevented the equalizer with several brilliant saves before substitute Rayan Philippe brought relief with the 2:0.

With their first away win since returning to the Bundesliga, the Hanseatic side climbed to eleventh place. However, the lead over the relegation spot is still only three points. The upcoming matches against Union Berlin and away at Mainz 05, from which they collected four points in the first half of the season, are therefore extremely important. Lokonga, who has already scored four goals this season—including the opening goal against Mainz (4:0)—will only be able to watch as a spectator.

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Who will step up in his absence remains to be seen. In Heidenheim, coach Merlin Polzin tried Fábio Vieira in a deeper role, which didn’t really work out. Other alternatives include the versatile Nicolás Capaldo or the winter signing Albert Grønbaek, who is not yet match fit.

Photo: IMAGO

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.