Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza suffered a serious blow at the most inopportune moment of the season. Experienced Cuban middle blocker Robertlandy Simon will undergo surgery in the coming hours and will certainly not be available to the coaching staff for the upcoming Italian Cup 1/4 final against Modena, scheduled for December 30.
This is extremely bad news for the club from Piacenza, whose management includes Hristo Zlatanov.
Gas Sales Bluenergy's ambitions are high, and the absence of a key figure like Simon significantly complicates the task against one of the traditionally strong rivals in Italian volleyball.
Complex injury and mandatory surgery
The 38-year-old Cuban has been out of action since November 29, when after the match against Vero Volley Monza, he was unable to continue the season. Initially, the problem was diagnosed as muscular, but the lack of expected progress in recent weeks necessitated additional examinations. These revealed a significantly more complex picture – tendon damage had been added to the muscular discomfort.
After a consultation between the medical staff and the player himself, a decision was made for surgical intervention. Simon will travel to Finland, where the operation will be performed by a specialist. Only after the intervention will a more accurate prognosis for the time and stages of recovery be possible, but the most realistic scenario is an absence of several months.
A heavy blow to Gas Sales Bluenergy's ambitions
Since the start of the season, Robertlandy Simon has been among the best-performing middle blockers in Serie A and an undisputed leader in blocking and net play. His loss is a serious problem not only in the short term – for the Italian Cup – but also in view of the battle for medals in the championship.
During the Cuban star's absence, Piacenza will have to rely on its other middle blockers
– Francesco Comparoni, Gianluca Galassi, and Joris Seddik. Currently, the team is in 4th place in the standings, with 7 wins from 11 matches and a 7-point deficit behind leader Sir Susa Scai Perugia.
photos: Nikolay Varadinov
