A fresh wave of concern has swept through Benfica’s football team this week. Word came down Thursday: midfielder Andreia Norton is sidelined. The club, known as the Eagles, shared in a statement she has a right knee sprain. It also includes an “associated chondral lesion,” which sounds pretty painful. She has already started her rehabilitation program with the team’s medical crew. How long she will be out remains a mystery; the club did not say.
This is a big blow, especially when the squad is already hurting. Ivan Baptista, the new coach, just stepped into Filipa Patão’s shoes. He now faces a lineup with two key players missing. Andreia’s injury comes right after Ana Borges, a national team star, went down. Ana suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in her left knee. That kind of injury means a long, hard road to recovery for her. It is a tough situation for the team and for these athletes who just want to play.
