Hatzidiakos dealt heavy blow with ACL injury
Pantelis Hatzidiakos suffered the dreaded anterior cruciate ligament injury while on UEFA Europa League duty for AZ Alkmaar, medical tests have confirmed.
Watch LIVE GREEK TV including full GREEK SPORTS coverage with Go Greek TV!
Yesterday, Hatzidiakos was included in the AZ starting line-up to face Partizan Belgrade at home in the Europa League, but he was forced off in the 53rd minute with a knee injury. Subsequent medical tests this morning confirmed that the talented 22-year-old defender suffered the anterior cruciate ligament injury.
AZ released this following statement:
“Pantelis Hatzidiakos sustained a knee injury on Thursday night during a European match against Partizan. He will not play again this season.”
Hatzidiakos will now spend at least the next six months on the sidelines.
Up until this point, Hatzidiakos had been enjoying the best season of his career so far, notably breaking into the senior Greek national team and impressing John van ‘t Schip with his excellent performances in the centre of defence. He had scored two goals in 22 appearances for AZ across all competitions.
AZ progressed to the Round of 32 in the Europa League with a dramatic 2-2 draw against Partizan at home. The club currently occupy second place of the Eredivisie standings with 32 points from 14 games.
