"Good morning," the manager said, his voice carrying easily across the space. "I won't keep you long since this is recovery time, but I wanted to speak with everyone who played yesterday."
He looked around at the assembled players, his expression serious but not harsh.
"First, well done. That was a good performance, a good result, and a positive start to the season. You executed the game plan well, you fought when it got difficult, and you finished strong. Be proud of that."
Several players nodded, and Demien felt a small surge of satisfaction because hearing it from Gasperini meant something different than hearing it from teammates or media.
"But," the manager continued, and the tone shifted. "We have some news that is not good. Éderson's injury from yesterday is serious. Very serious. The medical staff have assessed him and the diagnosis is a fractured fibula and damaged ankle ligaments."
The room went completely still.
