Roma are set to be without defender Chris Smalling for their Serie A match against Inter on May 6, whilst they could also have to do without midfielder Giorginio Wijnaldum as well.
This according to today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews, who report that both of the pair are dealing with thigh flexor problems following the Giallorossi’s dramatic Europa League win over Feyenoord on Thursday.
Roma overcame Feyenoord in an emphatic 4-1 win on Thursday evening, a dramatic evening which saw Jose Mourinho’s team roar back from a first leg defeat against the Dutch side to book their place in the semifinals of the Europa League.
It was not a win that came without a cost for the Giallorossi, however, as both of Smalling and Wijnaldum had to come off during the match with injury problems.
In both cases, the injuries should be enough to keep the pair out for a matter of weeks, a significant blow for Roma coach Mourinho at a point in the season where the league fixture is getting hectic in addition to a Europa League semifinal tie against Sevilla on the way.
The Giallorossi’s next Serie A match is away to Atalanta tomorrow evening, whilst things won’t get any easier for them as they face AC Milan at the end of the month.
At the start of May, Roma travel to Monza, and then they have a crucial match against Inter at the Stadio Olimpico.
Given that three of the next four matches that the Giallorossi play in the league are against direct rivals for a place in the top four of the table, these matches could prove crucial for how their season ends in the league.
According to the Corriere, former Manchester United defender Smalling will certainly be out for all of the matches, including against Inter.
Meanwhile, for 32-year-old former Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Wijnaldum, it is not certain whether the 32-year-old Dutch international can return in time to face the Nerazzurri.
