The injury to Simon Elisor, the other striker of Universitatea Craiova, has opened up opportunities for Assad Al-Hamlawi to return to the starting lineup. The Palestinian forward, 25, was given his chance by coach Filipe Coelho in the match against Oțelul Galați, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Al-Hamlawi played 72 minutes, but was forced to leave the game due to exhaustion.
The striker has struggled to regain his form this season, as the team from Craiova has not relied as heavily on his services. He suffered an injury during a training session and was out for several weeks, missing out on crucial games. However, with Elisor also injured, Al-Hamlawi was given the chance to prove himself, and he made a strong start in the match against Oțelul Galați, playing from the first minute.
The Struggle to Regain Form
The road to recovery for Al-Hamlawi is not an easy one, as he is not yet fully fit. His request to be substituted in the second half of the game against Oțelul Galați was a clear indication that he is still struggling to regain his physical form. This is a concern for coach Filipe Coelho, as the team will face Ararat Armenia in the return leg of the Europa League play-offs.
Assad Al-Hamlawi’s Recovery Timeline
According to sources, Al-Hamlawi is expected to fully recover before the return leg against Ararat Armenia. However, until then, he will continue to play through the pain, unless Elisor returns to the team soon. The rotation of the two strikers, Al-Hamlawi and Nsimba, will be a key aspect of the team’s strategy, with Al-Hamlawi taking a backseat in European cup matches due to his current physical condition.
A Glance at Al-Hamlawi’s Stats
In this season, Al-Hamlawi has played in seven matches, with three of those being starts from the beginning. He has scored a brace in the match against ML Vitebsk, in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League qualifiers. He has also provided an assist for Mora’s goal in the match against KuPS, which helped the team qualify for the Europa League play-offs.
The return of Al-Hamlawi will be a welcome boost for the team, but his recovery will be a crucial factor in their success. Will he be able to regain his form and help the team progress in the Europa League play-offs?