After rupture of Knezevic's cruciate ligament: is the FCL active?

Shortly before the decisive blow with Basel Ricky van Wolfswinkel:
FCL player Stefan Knezevic (blue dress) against FCB striker Albian Ajeti.
(Image: Martin Meienberger / Freshfocus (Lucerne, 25 November 2018))

It's a scene that Stefan Knezevic will remember forever. He wants to clear a high volley, but he does not hit it properly, he heads in the direction of the flag of the corner. Knezevic hurries after the ball, but it's out of the game. Needless to say, Ricky van Wolfswinkel fooled him again. The Basler pushes Knezevic, unhappy by wringing his left knee.

While Stefan Knezevic hurts himself on the ground, it is Wolfswinkels' unfair action in tumultuous scenes between the Lucerne and Basel players. Finally, the game ends with 1: 1. For Knezevic, the match is over after 27 minutes. He bids farewell to the audience with encouraging applause and loud calls.

Will Remo Arnold be brought back from Winterthur?

Tuesday followed the devastating diagnosis for 22-year-old Seetaler. He had a tear in the cruciate ligament. This leaves the Swiss with Serbian roots for at least six months. It will be operated in the coming days. "I am extremely sorry for Stefan," said FCL sports director Remo Meyer, who was injured. Knezevic himself does not want to talk about it yet.

What is certain is that the diagnosis is a bitter setback for him. The rupture of the cruciate ligament is his most serious injury in his young career. But already in the summer of the Hitzkircher had to struggle with a laborious injury. The water had accumulated in the femur above the left knee and a bone marrow edema syndrome had been diagnosed. After Knezevic finally got in shape, he played eight league matches and one cup match, scoring two goals. In these games, he assumed the duties of chief of defense in the defense of the FCL. Many see Stefan Knezevic as the chief of defense for several years. Some even want the Seetaler to become soon captain of the center of Switzerland.

But now it's different. The problematic position of last season is still a problem. Already in spring, several central defenders were injured. After the breakthrough of Knezevic, he summons Lucas Alves from Serb Lazar Cirkovic in the starting lineup. Since Marvin Schulz was convinced in the middle of the field, with Yannick Schmid, only one central defender is ready. Schmid is out of the row and agenda with his coach Rene Weiler. For the last time, he came to play on August 26th. In the last nine games, he has not even counted for the team.

It is therefore quite possible for Weiler to request a reinforcement during the winter break for the center-back position. Financially, the hands of the sports boss Remo Meyer are linked, an adequate replacement for Knezevic is difficult to obtain. The loan to Winterthur Remo Arnold could probably be reported earlier. In the fourth place of the second highest division, the 21-year-old is an undisputed regular, but he runs in the defensive midfield. But one can wonder if Arnold can meet the high demands imposed by Weiler on his players. Stefan Knezevic should be sorely missed with his fighting and calm style of FC Luzern in the coming months.