Racing blow: Sosa out of Flamengo return after facial surgery | OneFootball

The captain of the Academy will have to undergo surgery due to Marcos Rojo's elbow and will be unable to play for several weeks.

Santiago Sosa will need surgery after suffering a fracture in the upper right maxillary sinus during the first leg of the Copa Libertadores semifinals, in which Racing lost 1-0 to Flamengo at the Maracanã stadium.

The midfielder and captain of the Academy was severely affected in a play towards the end of the match when Marcos Rojo unintentionally elbowed him during an aerial jump. Sosa ended up with a completely swollen eye and nasal bleeding, which required immediate medical attention.

The midfielder spent the night after the match under medical observation in Rio de Janeiro, although he managed to travel with the delegation to Buenos Aires. Subsequent tests confirmed the fracture, and the club's professionals decided to operate on him during the next week.

The medical team has already warned the player that he cannot return to play in the short term, as the injury affects an area close to the eye. Although there was initial speculation about the possibility of using a protective mask for the rematch in Avellaneda, specialists ruled out that option due to the risk involved.

The estimated recovery time ranges between four and six weeks, which casts doubt on his availability even for a potential Copa Libertadores final, scheduled for November 29 in Lima, Peru.

A significant loss for Costas

Sosa's injury is a major blow for Gustavo Costas, as the midfielder had become a key player in the lineup, capable of fulfilling both the role of sweeper and central midfielder depending on the needs of the match.

Looking ahead to the second leg against Flamengo, the coach will have to decide how to reorganize the defense and midfield. Among the options are Marcos Di Césare, in case of adding another central defender and maintaining the three-man line, or Nazareno Colombo, who has already played the sweeper role in other matches.

If Costas decides to change the system and play with four defenders, midfielders like Juan Nardoni, Matías Zaracho, or a more offensive player could take Sosa's place.

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