It wouldn’t be an international break if one of Roma’s key players didn’t suffer some sort of injury while playing for their national teams. From minor sprains and strains to respiratory illnesses, and yes, even catastrophic knee injuries, the international break has rarely been kind to the Giallorossi.
And even though he’s played only 180 minutes during his brief time in the Italian capital, Wesley
already looks like a pivotal piece in Gian Piero Gasperini’s Roma side. Signed from Flamengo over the summer, the 21-year-old Brazilian wasted little time making an impression in his new city, scoring the winning goal in Roma’s 1-0 victory over Bologna on opening day in late August.
Wesley followed his debut with a solid 90-minute performance against Alberto Gilardino’s stubborn Pisa side, frequently looking like the most dangerous man on the ball. Thanks to his impressive start to life in Serie A, Wesley got the call from Seleção manager Carlo Ancelotti for Brazil’s recent World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia.
After starting alongside former Roma wunderkind Marquinhos against Chile, a match in which he intercepted four passes, Wesley was unable to repeat the feat against Bolivia yesterday after suffering a strained left thigh. While the initial reports painted a gloomier picture, Wesley has reportedly avoided any serious injury, though the club may exercise caution and keep him out of Sunday’s game against Torino.
And, coincidentally enough, Devyne Rensch, who used the international break to recover from his own minor injury, appears poised to return to the Giallorossi in time for Sunday’s 12:30CET/6:30 EDT kickoff.
