Makenda’s ‘affliction’ in her lower leg and the surgery are back on the table

The severe ankle problems that plagued Federico Makenda with excruciating pain from late last year to early November have returned.

From the beginning of the week, the Italian forward again entered the “pit lane”, losing in the first phase the match between Panathinaikos and OFI, and certainly Sunday’s derby with PAOK (6/2, 19:30, Novasports Prime, Live from Sportish) in tomba.

He entered a treatment program and it is unknown for the time being when – and more importantly in what condition – he will return to convey the reflection to the “leaders” of the football department on how they should all deal with this problem together.

Makenda was a “shadow” of himself in preparation, but also in the first games of the year. It wasn’t a mood issue, but a purely medical issue, as there were days when the problem in his ankle didn’t allow him to to walk well.

He lost the first round matches with Ionikos, Asteras Tripolis and OFI, but also the away game with Atromitos in the cup, because they decided to go into a conservative program and try to gradually overcome the problem with special drugs to avoid it to avoid surgery in the first stage.

As it eventually happened, the special treatment given to ‘Kiko’ during this period bore fruit and the Italian returned in early November, entering the first-round match against PAOK as a substitute for 20 minutes.

After the national teams’ last break, he got a basic shirt in the next four games (with Lamia, Panaitoliko, Volo-Cup, AEK), remained on the bench for two games but returned to the starting XI in the cup rematch of Panthessalikos before Christmas ( 0:0) and in the games with Aris, Volos and Olympiakos for the championship.

From the middle of last month the annoyances returned in the same place and from last weekend they became very intense when the Italian striker was put back on the medical card.

Now it’s time for the decisions, because in the next few days the administration, the coach, the medical team and of course Makenda himself will have to make a final decision on whether to return to a conservative treatment program and expand the subject (with. Enter- exit) until at the end of the season or whether he needs immediate surgery to put the problem behind him once and for all.

In the OP scenario (which Makenda didn’t want last fall), the 30-year-old forward is likely to miss the rest of the year as he can barely “break in” and play even in the playoffs.

So the problem is big for the Greens, as in this case they are left with two options for leading the attack, Carlitos and Ioannidis. And perhaps it’s no coincidence that Panathinaikos – based on what has been leaked from the manager’s pitch – continues to cast “stealthy” looks at attackers from the free agent market, where there is a transfer margin until February 15.

Not the easiest thing in the world to find a forward fit enough with a short absence and at stake “I want” Jovanovic, but on the other hand never say…never.