Castro, a sigh of relief. But today it's Dallinga's turn again

Sigh of relief for Santiago Castro. Further investigations and new tests have ruled out fractures to the big toe and the inside of the right foot. He would not have been in Venice, due to disqualification. For Empoli it remains doubtful. "For Empoli it is a neither, let's hope it becomes a yes for the challenge with Napoli", explained Vincenzo Italiano on the eve. Recovery for the Coppa Italia is difficult, doubtful for Napoli: it will depend on the evolution of the pain. But the risk of a long stoppage has been averted.

The clock strikes like this Thijs Dallinga. He was the most expensive purchase of the summer and so far he has disappointed. Three rings and a lot of darkness. Two goals in the league with Torino and Roma, one in the Champions League, which started the winning comeback against Dortmund, a crossroads that gave Bologna confidence in view of the comeback for fourth place in the league. A fundamental goal, but within a year that has been disappointing so far, in light of the 15 million plus 3 bonuses and 20 percent on the future resale spent in the summer to snatch him from Toulouse.

He was supposed to be Zirkzee's heir. Castro took care of it. But the end of the story is not written and he will also pass through Venice. "Thijs will be in the game, he had an extra week to prepare, he can give us a hand and he will have the chance to play his chances", explains Italiano. Bad luck has added to the difficulties: the Dutchman has been dealing with pubalgia for a couple of months. Rest and therapy at the beginning of the week, work with the group in view of the match and the call-up, but rarely the starting shirt only 4, in the championship, the last one with Como on February 1st. Almost two months have passed. He is gritting his teeth. The hope is that conservative therapy will be enough, but there is the possibility that he will have to undergo surgery at the end of the season, as happened to Aebischer. All hoping it doesn't stop. Not now that Castro is dealing with the problem with his foot.

Dallinga has given the ok: he is ready to grit his teeth, convinced that he can make a fundamental contribution in the final rush to the pursuit of Champions and to Europe, maybe even to reaching the final of Coppa ItaliaIt remains to be seen whether Dallinga will be able to play two games in three days, given his physical condition.

"The alternative could be Jens Odgaard. We also tried Fabbian in a training match, but he prefers his attacking role, even if then, when he is there, he ends up scoring a goal like a real centre forward, as against Lazio", Italiano's thesis. First, however, comes Dallinga. Last calls for the former Toulouse player, criticised by Italiano for his error in front of goal against Verona. "But Dallinga is really eager to prove himself. He hasn't played for a long time, I hope to see him motivated and ready". Because the European fortunes of the Bologna and the individual ones of the Dutchman.