Two players from the San Marino national team underwent surgery on Monday 28 September at the State Hospital (Ospedale di Stato), in the Orthopaedics and Traumatology department headed by Dr. Luciano Trinchese. Filippo Berardi had reconstructive surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee, following a serious injury sustained with his club: the recovery time is estimated at six to eight months. Alberto Riccardi underwent surgery on his left knee, for a tear to the lateral meniscus that was partly trimmed and partly sutured, with an estimated recovery period of two to three months.
The operations were carried out by Dr. Camillieri’s team, assisted by the Football Federation’s medical officer, Dr. Grana. According to the FSGC, both procedures were fully successful.
The timing could hardly be worse for the two players to be sidelined. Roberto Cevoli’s national team is wrapping up a demanding run of four matches in ten days and, from today until 7 October, will be on the road for two consecutive away fixtures: against Belarus, played on neutral ground in Budapest, and against Albania in Tirana, after the two sides had already met at the San Marino Stadium.
For Berardi in particular, the season is effectively over: a reconstructed cruciate ligament typically means a return no earlier than late spring in the best-case scenario. Riccardi, on the other hand, could be back in contention before winter.
