Cagliari forward Yael Trepy has been moved out of intensive care after nearly drowning in a swimming pool, with head coach Fabio Pisacane confirming the 20-year-old would have started Saturday’s Serie A opener against Parma.
Trepy remains in hospital and is continuing to receive treatment and medical observation at the Santissima Annunziata Hospital in Sassari. He was placed in an induced coma after getting into difficulty in the deep end of a pool at a villa during his weekend off.
The forward has since made a rapid recovery and has now left the Intensive Care Unit, although he will not be involved when Cagliari begin their Serie A campaign at Stadio Tardini.
The match against Parma kicks off at 19:45 UK time (20:45 CEST) on Saturday.
“It has certainly not been an easy week,” confessed coach Pisacane in a press conference.
“We had some terrible moments, but fortunately Yael woke up and it was the best news we could receive. He reminded us once again that life is the most important match of all.”
Trepy had started in attack for Cagliari in their Coppa Italia victory over Arezzo a week ago. Having come through the club’s youth academy, he had been expected to play an important role as he looked to establish himself during the new season.
Pisacane said Trepy had been selected to start at Parma before the accident, with Daniele Maldini or Jacopo Fazzini now possible replacements.
“He would’ve been in the starting XI tomorrow, but obviously he can’t be with us now, so Daniele Maldini or Jacopo Fazzini can replace him.”
Cagliari’s preparations have also been affected by the unresolved situation involving Sebastiano Esposito. The player has been involved in a bitter dispute with the club hierarchy for several weeks and is not currently available to Pisacane.
Asked about Esposito during his press conference, the Cagliari manager said: “Esposito is not a player at our disposal, and I would prefer not to talk about him.”
Trepy’s recovery has provided some encouragement for Cagliari after a difficult week, but his condition continues to require treatment and monitoring. Meanwhile, his team-mates are preparing for their opening fixture away to Parma without the forward who had been due to lead the attack.