Fotis Ioannidis has suffered an adductor muscle injury that will keep him out of action for approximately two weeks. The 25-year-old captain of "Panathinaikos" will miss the first leg of the Champions League third qualifying round against "Shakhtar Donetsk" on August 7.
"The medical team is working around the clock to speed up his recovery, but we must be careful with such injuries," a source close to the Athens club revealed.
Ioannidis might also miss the return leg scheduled for August 14, though there's still a possibility he could recover in time for that crucial match. His absence is a significant blow for the Greek side, considering his importance to the team.
The forward was a key player for "Panathinaikos" last season, appearing in 42 matches across all competitions. During that time, he found the net 11 times and provided one assist. Not bad numbers for their captain.
Interestingly, while preparing for this important European fixture, "Shakhtar" is reportedly showing interest in a talent from Brazilian club Gremio. But the Ukrainian club's immediate focus remains on the upcoming qualifier.
Can the Athens team cope without their captain for such an important European clash? The first answer will come next week when these teams meet for their first encounter.
