Valentin Rongier's injury was “a cold shower” for OM, club coach Gennaro Gattuso said on Wednesday, who praised the “great captain” attitude of his midfielder.
"It hurts my heart. It was a cold shower for us. He came home normally and we thought it was just a knock. The next day he didn't train and in the evening he started to have pain. He then did an MRI,” Gattuso told a press conference before Thursday’s Europa League match against AEK Athens.
“I spoke with him and he was desperate, but not for him, desperate that he couldn't help the team. It reflects the values of this team and it gives me a lot of hope. He is a great captain, his concern was not being able to help the team, not being in pain,” he added.
Rongier injured his left knee on Saturday against Lille. OM announced that he would have to undergo surgery, without specifying the duration of his unavailability, which could be long.
Thursday in Athens, OM will also be without Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who did not make the trip due to muscle discomfort in his thigh. According to Gattuso, the problem is “not very serious.”