Spezia Calcio Team News Page 31 - Soccer

Jeroen Zoet - Concedes three times versus Juventus Zoet had six saves and one clearance and allowed three goals in Wednesday's 2-3 loss to Juventus.

Impact Zoet had a pretty good display and stopped the opponents multiple times, but they still managed to find the target on three occasions. He has surrendered 13 goals and made 21 saves in five games, with no clean sheets. Spezia will face Milan at home Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Viktor Kovalenko - Ruled out for Juventus game Kovalenko will miss Wednesday's match with Juventus due to a minor leg injury, coach Thiago Motta announced.

Impact Kovalenko has not been able to garner much playing thus far and will be out midweek with an unspecified ailment. Giulio Maggiore, Mehdi Bourabia and Jacopo Sala will be the top options in the midfield Wednesday.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Martin Erlic - Will miss Juventus match Erlic (thigh) avoided serious injury, but he will be spared in Wednesday's match against Juventus, coach Thiago Motta announced.

Impact Erlic took some tests on his thigh, which did not reveal a strain or other meaningful problems. He will practice on his own for a few days and will be re-assessed ahead of the weekend. Petko Hristov is next in line in the defense unless the coach changes his scheme.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Jeroen Zoet - Offers solid performance in win Zoet made two saves and concede once in the 2-1 win over Venezia on Sunday.

Impact Zoet started off the season strong to only fall right back down to Earth. However, he has rebounded with two solid outings since. In those two appearances, he is averaging, 2.5 saves and 1.0 goals against. He will need to continue to produce these types of performances to keep Spezia alive and he will be one of the better keepers in the league while doing so.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Daniele Verde - Whips eight crosses in 2-1 win Verde took four shots (none on target), created one chance, sent eight crosses (one accurate) and took eight corners in the 2-1 win over Venezia on Sunday.

Impact Verde was average in the win Sunday. Outside of his role on set-pieces, he only had four shots and a created chance. However, this was his best performance so far this season and the majority role on set-pieces boosted his value tenfold. If he keeps the role on set-pieces, he will become a highly sought-after player very quickly.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Simone Bastoni - Finds net for number two Bastoni scored once, produced two shots (one on target), created one chance, sent six crosses (two accurate), took two corners and made one tackle (none won) in the 2-1 win against...

Impact Bastoni had his best performance yet during the win Sunday. The defender continued to attack the flank and create opportunities when he could, but the highlight of his performance was his headed goal from a set-piece. In four appearances this season, he is averaging, 1.75 shots, 1.5 created chances, 3.25 crosses, 0.75 corners, 1.0 tackles and 1.0 interceptions per 90 minutes in all competitions. Bastoni is one of the better in-form defenders in the league that is worth a look.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Mehdi Bourabia - Scores first goal of season Bourabia scored once, took one shot (one on target) and made one tackle (none won) during the 2-1 win over Venezia on Sunday.

Impact Bourabia was brought on for fresh legs at the end of the match and it wasn't until the final seconds that he scored the game-winning goal. It was a well-earned goal as well. The midfielder dribbled the ball up the pitch and he took a swift strike sending it to the top corner. Outside of the goal, he has yet to make a dent in the team this season with minimal production.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

M'bala Nzola - Plays handful of minutes versus Venezia Nzola (conditioning) had two clearances and committed one foul in 12 minutes in Sunday's 2-1 win over Venezia.

Impact Nzola logged his first minutes of the season after a troublesome preseason, but he did not do much. He will try to unseat Janis Antiste and the other attackers that have opened the season ahead of him in the pecking order in the next few matches. Spezia will host Juventus Wednesday.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Martin Erlic - Subs off early against Venezia Erlic had one clearance in 23 minutes before asking to come out in Sunday's 2-1 win over Venezia.

Impact Erlic returned from a thigh problem in this game and might have suffered an immediate relapse. He is headed for some tests shortly. Petko Hristov took his place in the middle of the defense. Spezia will host Juventus Wednesday.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Arkadiusz Reca - Suffers thigh injury Reca has been diagnosed with a strain of the rectus femoris muscle in the right thigh, Spezia announced.

Impact Reca will likely be sidelined until the second international break as the injury generally takes three-to-four weeks to heal. He had yet to start since joining Spezia. Simone Bastoni will see the bulk of minutes on the left flank, with Salva Ferrer and Kelvin Amian filling in if necessary.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Martin Erlic - Will play versus Venezia Erlic has shaken off his injury and will be available Sunday against Venezia, coach Thiago Motta announced.

Impact Erlic missed the last game due to a muscular problem. He has been practicing fully for a few days and has strong chances to make the XI right away since he is their best defender. He has posted seven clearances, two interceptions and three blocks in the first two matches. It is unclear whom he will replace as Spezia have used a couple of schemes thus far. They are also getting back Kelvin Amian from suspension.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

M'bala Nzola - Expected back against Venezia Nzola has had a good week of practice and will be available for Sunday's game versus Venezia, coach Thiago Motta announced.

Impact Nzola appeared on his way out and thus missed the first two matches, on top of the friendlies, for that reason. He has resumed practicing fully after deadline day, but he was not ready last week. He will likely be eased into action at first, but the injuries to Ebrima Colley and Kevin Agudelo have opened a chunk of minutes offensively. Nzola bagged 11 goals and provided three assists in 25 matches last season, adding 22 chances and 45 shots, although his role has taken a big hit during the summer.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Kevin Agudelo - Suffers severe foot injury Agudelo has been diagnosed with a fracture of the fifth metatarsal in the right foot, Spezia announced.

Impact Agudelo got hurt in practice and will be sidelined for at least a month, if not more, considering the nature of the injury. Agudelo had yet to be fully integrated into the rotation following the late return to the club and the coaching change. His prolonged absence figures to open up more room for the other offensive midfielders.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Daniele Verde - Takes five shots as sub Verde took five shots (four on target), sent in two inaccurate crosses and made one tackle (won) in 28 minutes during Sunday's 1-0 loss to Udinese.

Impact Verde led his side in shots during his limited time in the field, but it wasn't enough to avoid the home loss. The forward started the prior two games, and will now look to get the nod again at Venezia on Sunday.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Simone Bastoni - Sends in five crosses in loss Bastoni registered three off-target shots, three chances created, five crosses (three accurate) and two clearances in Sunday's 1-0 loss to Udinese.

Impact Bastoni had a pretty good overall performance, leading his side in crosses and chances created, but they ended up with the loss at home. The midfielder will now look to help them earn the first win in the season when they visit Venezia on Sunday.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Emmanuel Gyasi - Takes two shots in loss Gyasi took two off-target shots, created two chances, made one tackle (won) and two clearances in Sunday's 1-0 loss to Udinese.

Impact Gyasi registered the second-most chances created for his side, but they couldn't find the back of the net and ended up with the home loss. The forward has one goal in the season, and will look to get on the scoresheet again at Venezia on Sunday.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Dimitrios Nikolaou - Makes four clearances in loss Nikolaou registered one inaccurate cross, three tackles (two won), four clearances and a yellow card in Sunday's 1-0 loss to Udinese.

Impact Nikolaou made the second-most clearances and tackles for his side, but it wasn't enough to avoid the home loss. The centerback also received his second yellow card of the season in three games. That's something to keep in mind at Venezia on Sunday.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Jeroen Zoet - Makes three saves in loss Zoet made three saves and one clearance in Sunday's 1-0 loss to Udinese.

Impact Zoet had a good outing, but couldn't help them avoid the home loss -- as they have yet to win in the season. The goalkeeper conceded nine goals in three games, and will look to bounce back when they visit Venezia on Sunday.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Martin Erlic - On track to return Erlic (undisclosed) practiced fully Wednesday, Spezia announced.

Impact Erlic missed the previous game due to an unspecified muscular problem he suffered before the break. He is likely to return to the starting XI for Wednesday's match versus Venezia, replacing either Petko Hristov or a midfielder, as the coach tweaked the scheme when he was out.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Ebrima Colley - Suffers thigh injury Colley pulled the adductor muscle in his right thigh, Spezia announced.

Impact Colley will miss three or four games considering the upcoming busy schedule. He had started every game thus far. Daniele Verde will likely return to the starting lineup after coming off on the best last week. Rey Manaj and M'Bala Nzola also figure to be more involved with Colley on the mend.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Kelvin Amian - Eligible to face Venezia Amian served his one-game suspension in Sunday's 0-1 loss to Venezia.

Impact Amian was sent off for a professional foul versus Lazio. He has decent chances to be back in the XI, replacing either Jacopo Sala or Salvador Ferrer. He has provided one assist and added five tackles, two interceptions and three clearances in the first two games.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Aimar Sher - Still missing Sheri will skip Sunday's game versus Udinese as he returned very late from international duties, coach Thiago Motta announced.

Impact Sher will miss the third game in a row for reasons unrelated to his physical condition. Spezia have added some depth to the midfield in the final days of the window, bringing in Kevin Agudelo and Mehdi Bourabia, who will limit Sher's role once he will be available.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

M'bala Nzola - Remains out for Udinese game Nzola is unavailable for Sunday's match versus Udinese as he needs more practice time to be ready, coach Thiago Motta informed.

Impact Nzola has had a troublesome pre-season as he appeared on the verge of leaving the club and did not participate in the friendly. He will be given at least one more week, and it remains to be seen what kind of role he will have once up to speed. Spezia added Rey Manaj and Eddie Salcedo on deadline day.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Martin Erlic - Will miss Udinese game Erlic will sit out Sunday's game versus Udinese due to an undisclosed muscular problem, Spezia informed.

Impact Erlic picked up the problem early in the break and has been unable to shake it off. Since Kelvin Amian is also missing, the coach might opt to tweak his scheme and go with a four-man defense, starting Petko Hristov and Dimitris Nikolaou as the center-backs.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

M'bala Nzola - Reinstated by Spezia Nzola has resumed practicing with the rest of the group after speaking with his teammates and the coaching staff, La Nazione reports.

Impact Nzola was excluded in the first two rounds as he was in talks to leave the club, and also for some attitude problems in the pre-season. He stayed at the club past deadline day and also the talks with Turkish clubs were not fruitful. He was their leading scorer last season, but his level of conditioning for the early rounds is a question mark.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

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