Rafael Crivellaro injured, ruled out for four weeks

The Marina Machans won their first game of the season and are set to face NorthEast United on Monday.

Indian Super League (ISL) outfit Chennaiyin FC have been handed a major setback, following Rafael Crivellaro's injury. The experienced midfielder is set to stay out of action for four weeks, as officially confirmed by the club on Sunday.

"Rafael Crivellaro has incurred a muscle injury. The Brazilian will be out for four weeks while he continues with his rehabilitation with the medical team," the Marina Machans' official statement read. He will hence be absent from the Chennaiyin matchday squads for the upcoming games - including the one against NorthEast United on Monday.

The 32-year-old resumed training with Chennaiyin FC in pre-season after he got ruled out last term due to an injury. However, since then, he got injured once again, and will now miss some of the Marina Machans' important league matches. 

The news would’ve come as a huge blow to the coach and fans. However, while addressing the media in the pre-match press conference on Sunday, head coach Bozidar Bandovic urged everyone to look on the bright side. When asked about the news, he replied, “Rafa is an important player, a good player for us. But, all the players are important to me.

"So, we need to concentrate on the players who are fit, all of them are, except him. With Rafa, we will help him recover as fast as he can. No team can depend on one player, so we need to have many players healthy and I am focusing on that. The players know what they have to do," he further added.

On Monday, the Marina Machans will face NEUFC who have had a slow start this season. Khalid Jamil’s men have picked up just a solitary point from their two matches so far.

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