VIKTOR KOVALENKO NEWS

Features in friendly Kovalenko (thigh) came off the bench in Thursday's game against Servette, Spezia relay.

Impact Kovalenko missed a month before the break due to a thigh strain. He recently reprised training fully. He'll resume having a backup role in the midfield once Serie A restarts, alternating with Kevin Agudelo and Simone Bastoni. He tallied four off-target shots, four chances crated, four crosses (one accurate), and seven tackles in seven appearances (four starts) before the injury.

DECEMBER 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Full go in practice Kovalenko (thigh) returned to full training Monday, Spezia announced.

Impact Kovalenko required an extra week to complete his rehab from a thigh strain, but he's set to feature in one of the friendlies before the resumption of the league.

DECEMBER 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Limited in training Kovalenko (thigh) has been practicing on the side following the vacations, Spezia informs.

Impact Kovalenko has been on the mend since mid-October because of a severe thigh strain, and he hasn't fully recovered yet, but he has a month to do so and should be ready to go for the first January matches.

DECEMBER 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Out versus Verona Kovalenko will remain sidelined in Sunday's game against Verona, Ansa reports.

Impact Kovalenko has been out for nearly a month and has yet to return to practice after picking up a thigh injury. He has posted four off-target shots, four chances created, four crosses (one accurate), and seven tackles in seven appearances (four starts).

NOVEMBER 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Diagnosed with thigh strain Kovalenko has suffered a biceps femoris strain in the right thigh, Spezia announced.

Impact Kovalenko got hurt in practice prior to the last game and is not a lock to return before the World Cup break, although it'll hinge on how the rehab goes and the severity of the lesion. The coach tweaked the scheme with both him and Simone Bastoni hurt, which ended up benefitting Kelvin Amian among their backups.

OCTOBER 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers new injury Kovalenko will sit out Sunday's match versus Cremonese and likely more fixtures due to a new physical problem, coach Luca Gotti informed.

Impact Kovalenko went down late in the week and is still undergoing evaluations. Mickael Egil Ellertsson and Albin Ekdal would be next in line in the midfield, but the coach stated that they would likely tweak their usual scheme with him, Simone Bastoni, and Arkadiusz Reca all on the mend, so an attacker, such as Daniel Maldini or Daniele Verde, could pick up the slack.

OCTOBER 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Silent in start against Monza Kovalenko (thigh) drew two fouls and committed one in Sunday's 0-2 loss to Monza.

Impact Kovalenko drew the start right away upon recovering from a thigh strain, but he picked up barely any start. He could get consistent minutes while Arkadiusz Reca (thigh) is on the mend, but he'll have to show better to retain a spot in the XI. He has posted four off-target shots, four chances created, four crosses (one accurate), and five tackles (two won) in the last five appearances.

OCTOBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Available versus Monza Kovalenko (thigh) has been named in Spezia's squad list to face Monza Sunday.

Impact Kovalenko will be an option after missing the last game with a thigh injury. They are one guy short in the midfield since Simone Bastoni might play on the wing, considering the absence of Arkadiusz Reca. He will compete for a couple of spots with Mikael Egil Ellertsson and Kevin Agudelo. He has logged four off-target shots, four chances created, four crosses (one accurate), and five tackles in six games (three starts).

OCTOBER 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers thigh injury Kovalenko picked up an adductor longus strain in the left thigh while practicing with Ukraine, Spezia announced.

Impact Kovalenko will have to miss three-to-four weeks because of the injury. He's been alternating with Kevin Agudelo so far. Albin Ekdal and Mikael Egil Ellertsson could also be more involved with Kovalenko on the mend.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Subs in late versus Inter Kovalenko (conditioning) had six touches in 11 minutes in Saturday's 0-3 loss to Inter.

Impact Kovalenko debuted after dealing with some fatigue and lack of conditioning, but he didn't play enough to make an impact. He will try to challenge Kevin Agudelo, Simone Bastoni and Arkadiusz Reca in the upcoming matches.

AUGUST 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Poised to return in Inter game Kovalenko (conditioning) went into full training Wednesday, Spezia announced.

Impact Kovalenko had yet to practice without limitations since joining due to lack of conditioning and muscle fatigue. He didn't participate in the friendlies before the switch therefore he will probably be eased into the rotations. He posted one goal, four assists, 17 chances and 24 crosses (seven accurate) in 26 appearances (16 starts) last season.

AUGUST 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out for Empoli game Kovalenko will miss Sunday's match versus Empoli due to muscle fatigue, coach Luca Gotti announced.

Impact Kovalenko joined late after taking part in the pre-season with Atalanta only in limited fashion. Spezia will lean on their other midfielders in the opener.

AUGUST 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Lacks conditioning Kovalenko hasn't been called up for Saturday's cup fixture versus Como to work on his conditioning, coach Luca Gotti informed.

Impact Kovalenko didn't play in the friendlies with Atalanta before joining and therefore he's a little behind schedule from the physical standpoint. It remains to be seen whether he'll be to catch up by next Sunday's opener versus Empoli.

AUGUST 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Goes back to Spezia on-loan Kovalenko has once again joined Spezia on a season-long loan from Atalanta, the club announced Tuesday.

Impact Kovalenko tallied one goal and four assists in 26 Serie A appearances (16 starts) last season for Spezia, mostly in midfield. The 26-year-old is rejoining the club from Atalanta for the upcoming campaign, this time with a clause that requires Spezia to buy the player on a permanent basis if he helps them avoid relegation.

AUGUST 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Returning to Atalanta Kovalenko was not retained by Spezia following the loan spell.

Impact Kovalenko appeared in 26 matches (16 starts) last season, but the club did not come to terms with Atalanta, at least for the time being. Considering he played just one match in six months in Bergamo prior to the Spezia move and that they are stacked in the midfield, he is likely to head elsewhere in the summer.

JUNE 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Creates two chances versus Napoli Kovalenko sent in one inaccurate cross, created two scoring chances and committed one foul in 28 minutes in Sunday's 0-3 loss to Napoli.

Impact Kovalenko was used as a sub in what was likely his last game with Atalanta since he was on loan from Atalanta. He has posted one goal, four assists, 17 chances and 24 crosses (7 accurate) in a part-time role, featuring in 26 matches (16 starts).

MAY 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Assists off bench in win Kovalenko made an assist after coming off the bench during Saturday's 2-0 win over Cagliari.

Impact Kovalenko was brought in the 68th minute as part of a double substitution and it paid off just six minutes later as he assisted Rey Manaj, who subbed in alongside him, for the goal that sealed Spezia's 2-0 win. The midfielder is struggling to receive consistent playing time over the last three months and will hope that changes next Friday, when his side visits Sassuolo.

MARCH 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Available against Fiorentina Kovalenko (thigh) is good to go for Monday's clash with Fiorentina, Spezia announced.

Impact Kovalenko was a late scratch for the previous match, but his injury turned out to be minor and he will quickly return to the squad list. He has started just once in the past five matches when he was available, tallying one assist, one shot, two chances and one cross.

FEBRUARY 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out for Salernitana game Kovalenko will miss Monday's game versus Salernitana because of a late muscular problem, Spezia announced.

Impact Kovalenko was in the mix to start in this one considering Simone Bastoni's injury, but he picked up a physical problem as well and will probably take some tests in the next few days. The next men up in the midfield are Jacopo Sala, Mehdi Bourabia and Kevin Agudelo.

FEBRUARY 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Provides assist against Milan Kovalenko took one shot on target, created one scoring chance, won one duel and picked up an assist in ten minutes in Monday's 2-1 win over Milan.

Impact Kovalenko had a strong impact off the bench, differently from previous tilts, and set up the late game-winner by Emmanuel Gyasi with a timely through ball. He is now up to one goal, three assists, ten chances and 18 crosses in the 14 games. With Giulio Maggiore suspended, he should get the start in Sunday's home game versus Sampdoria.

JANUARY 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Plays five minutes versus Genoa Kovalenko (return from COVID-19) won one tackle and had two passes in five minutes in Sunday's 1-0 win over Genoa.

Impact Kovalenko saw limited action in his first game back after dealing with Coronavirus. He will have to earn his starting job back since Simone Bastoni and Arkadiusz Reca have fared well in recent games. He has logged 18 crosses, 11 tackles and nine interceptions in 13 matches, with one goal and two assists. Spezia will face Milan away Monday.

JANUARY 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to practice Kovalenko cleared the COVID-19 protocol and resumed training Friday, Spezia announced.

Impact Kovalenko should resume being an option in Sunday's away game versus Genoa. He has split time with Simone Bastoni in recent games. He has logged six chances, six crosses and six tackles in the last five appearances.

JANUARY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Tests positive for COVID-19 Kovalenko contracted Coronavirus while on vacation, Spezia announced.

Impact Kovalenko tested positive before the team resumed practicing following the break. He has about a week to try clearing the protocol before January 6th's match against Verona. He has alternated with Simone Bastoni in the midfield in recent games.

DECEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Creates three chances against Bologna Kovalenko took one shot (zero on target), delivered one cross (one accurate) and created three chances in Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Bologna.

Impact Kovalenko led his team in chances created with three. He has a goal and two assists this season. His next match is against Inter Milan on December 1.

NOVEMBER 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Provides assist in win Kovalenko provided one assist, created one chance, made one clearance and drew two fouls in Saturday's 1-0 win versus Torino.

Impact Kovalenko had a great offensive outing as he provided an assist to help his side take home all three points. The midfielder has now registered one goal and two assists in his last five appearances, along with racking up four shots, three chances created and 10 crosses due to his role on set pieces.

NOVEMBER 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE