RC Strasbourg Alsace`s new recruit, Soumaïla Coulibaly, aged 21, is set to miss the entirety of the club`s pre-season preparations, according to a report from L`Équipe.
Coulibaly, who spent the previous season on loan at Stade Brestois, made a permanent move to Strasbourg from Borussia Dortmund earlier this summer for a fee of €7.5 million. However, his initial period with the club will be significantly hampered as he will be unavailable for Les Alsaciens` Ligue 1 season opener against newly promoted FC Metz on August 17th.
L`Équipe indicates that the French defender will be sidelined for at least one month due to a calf injury, meaning he will miss all pre-season training and matches. Nevertheless, there`s more positive news regarding other Strasbourg players: Valentin Barco, who has been recovering from a knee issue, and Emanuel Emegha, who was dealing with a muscular problem, have both returned to fitness. The duo has been included in the squad for Saturday evening`s match against Galatasaray in Istanbul.
