Defensive drama: Fluminense worry over Silva, Freytes before derby | OneFootball

Fluminense raised the alarm again in the medical department after the goalless draw against Bahia last Wednesday at the Maracanã in the Brazilian Championship. Center-backs Thiago Silva and Freytes, regarded as the starting defensive pairing, left the pitch injured and are now doubts for the team’s upcoming matches, as the club has been dealing with a buildup of physical problems since competitions resumed.

Both defenders will undergo imaging tests this Thursday to assess the severity of the issues. Thiago Silva felt muscular discomfort in the back of his right thigh during the second half. Freytes’ situation is causing even more concern behind the scenes: the defender left the Maracanã wearing an orthopedic boot on his right leg, a sign that the injury could require a longer recovery time.

With the grueling schedule in mind and the crucial upcoming clash against Vasco in the Copa do Brasil round of 16, coach Luis Zubeldía had planned to rest Thiago Silva, starting the match with the No. 3 on the bench. The strategy, however, had to be changed in the first half when Freytes suffered a sprain in his right ankle and asked to be substituted.

Brought on to take his teammate’s place, Thiago Silva played until the closing stages of the match but also could not overcome the physical discomfort. After being substituted, the Tricolor captain was seen on the bench with his hand on the back of his right thigh, making clear the discomfort that could rule him out of the first crucial showdown this weekend.

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