New Tottenham signing Giovani Lo Celso was subbed off in Argentina’s friendly with Chile last night, a game that ended in a 0-0 draw.
Lo Celso was taken off after 53 minutes following two heavy challenges. The first is a “shocker” as one fan described it, with studs down on the ankles in the type of tackle that can lead to a long time on the sidelines.
Lo Celso played on after this tackle in the 24th minute, but was withdrawn early on in the second half after another crunching tackle that belied the game’s ‘friendly’ status.
Following the game, the official Argentina Twitter site posted an update that said he was taken off after suffering a blow to the groin area.
#SelecciónMayor Parte médico: Giovani Lo Celso sufrió un golpe en la región inguinal izquierda.
— ?? Selección Argentina ??? (@Argentina) September 6, 2019
It’s a big blow to Tottenham who will be hoping it’s not a serious injury.
Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino had already said that Lo Celso was a long way away from where Tottenham wanted him to be in terms of fitness [Sky Sports] and some fans will be wondering why he’s playing for Argentina in a friendly if he’s not 100%.
Here are the best reactions from concerned fans on Twitter:
He wasn’t even going for the ball, we are genuinely cursed.
— Manny (@Mannythfc) September 6, 2019
The video above shows how bad the first tackle was and the still captures the studs bearing down on his ankle. Many Spurs fans were convinced this was the tackle that left him injured and that he might have suffered ligament damage, but he played on for a good 30 minutes after this challenge.
One fan said Tottenham were “genuinely cursed” and after Lo Celso was hit with another crunching tackle, he might have a point.
Bs tackle for a friendly wtf he doing
— Fluff ? Top 50 TP FUT 22 ? (@Adam18coys) September 6, 2019
The state of that tackle! International breaks are a nightmare
— Caul Shivers (@thebloodyn9ne) September 6, 2019
Many club fans hate international breaks – and this tackle is why. It’s got no place in any game, let alone a friendly and the Chile player wasn’t even given his marching orders. Pochettino must have been watching with his head in his hands after already admitting his player wasn’t 100% fit.
This is why I hate international brakes 1. A player always gets injured and 2. I have to miss a weekend of premier league football!!
— Jacob Gonsalves (@JacobSpurs4108) September 6, 2019
https://twitter.com/Nathan_Farrar/status/1169860015546490880
One fan feared the worst, saying the player would be out until Christmas. However, while there’s been no word on the severity of the injury, Lo Celso said afterwards that the blow he suffered was “just a hit”.
Dreadful challenge
— JMCG ???????????? (@THFCsince76) September 6, 2019
Spurs player injured ?……SHOCKER
— Stuarty (@StuHartLane) September 6, 2019
Unbelievable Jeff
— Tottenham popspurs (@harj_jhutie) September 6, 2019
https://twitter.com/notsochirpy/status/1169861475059421185