Atalanta Injury Blow: De Ketelaere and Ahanor Out

Double Injury Blow for Atalanta

Atalanta have been dealt a fresh injury setback just days before their competitive season begins, with Charles De Ketelaere and Honest Ahanor both ruled out of Friday's pre-season friendly against Athletic Club.

The Serie A side confirmed on Thursday that the duo sustained muscular injuries during training in Bergamo on Wednesday. Subsequent tests revealed De Ketelaere has a low-grade strain of the adductor in his left leg, while defender Ahanor is nursing a similar issue in his right leg.

In an official statement, the club described both as "low grade strains, so no significant damage", but stressed they will be "rested and evaluated over the next few days." That means neither will feature in the Trofeo Bortolotti clash against the Basque side at the New Balance Arena on Friday.

Pre-Season Disruption

The news adds to an already concerning injury list for Gian Piero Gasperini's men. Kamaldeen Sulemana remains sidelined with a knee ligament injury that is expected to keep him out for around two months.

With the season fast approaching, Atalanta face a busy schedule that will test their squad depth. They kick off their European campaign with a Conference League play-off against Hapoel Tel-Aviv on August 20, with the second leg scheduled for August 27. In between, they open their Serie A campaign at home to Sassuolo on August 23.

The quick turnaround means Gasperini will be hoping De Ketelaere and Ahanor recover swiftly, as both players are expected to play key roles in the new season. De Ketelaere, in particular, has been a central figure in Atalanta's attacking setup since his arrival, and his creativity will be missed if he is unavailable for the opening fixtures.

What's Next for Atalanta?

While the injuries are not serious, the timing is far from ideal. The friendly against Athletic Club was seen as a final chance for players to build match sharpness before competitive action begins. With Sulemana already out, Gasperini may have to rely on younger squad members in the coming weeks.

The club's medical staff will continue to monitor both players, with further assessments expected in the coming days. Atalanta will be optimistic that the low-grade nature of the strains means they can return quickly, potentially in time for the Conference League tie or the league opener against Sassuolo.

For now, though, the priority is ensuring the duo fully recover without risking further damage. As the club prepares for a demanding stretch of fixtures, squad availability will be crucial. Fans will be eagerly awaiting positive news on the fitness front.

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