The underdog Zima was supposed to start the season in the starting lineup, but dislocated his shoulder in the dress rehearsal

He was reaching for the starting lineup, now he’s slipping away again. David Zima, currently a player for Italian side Torino FC, dislocated his shoulder in the dress rehearsal against Nice, so he will start the season later.

He did not consistently make his way into the starting lineup last season, playing 20 games, 13 of them from the start. He should have had a more solid position in the three-man defence after the departure of Brazilian Bremer to city rival Juventus.

But his struggles are starting anew. The Bulls face French side Nice in their Serie A dress rehearsal. The Czech international was in the starting line-up, but had to make a substitution after half an hour of play.

That the change was not tactical was confirmed the next day by the club itself on its website. Zima dislocated his shoulder in the match with Nice, when he will return is not yet certain.

At the same time, another stopper, Armando Izzo, was substituted and will undergo tests today. The Turin side enters the season without two central defenders, making it difficult to improve on last year’s 10th place finish before the first game.

The question is whether Zima will make the national break at the end of September. The last two matches of the Nations League are on the schedule for the Czech national team. Coach Jaroslav Šilhavy’s charges will play Portugal at home and finish this year in Switzerland.

Sources: Torino FC, Livesport