Latvian champions FC RFS will be without key defender Herdi Prenga for the upcoming UEFA Champions League second qualifying round match against Swedish side Malmö FF — and for the following months — as manager Viktors Morozs confirmed he is sidelined with a shoulder injury.
The 30-year-old Albanian centre-back sustained the injury during the first qualifying round match against Estonian side Levadia. The incident occurred during a seemingly routine aerial duel, when Prenga was hurt mid-air. He had to be stretchered off the field and was immediately transported to the hospital.
Addressing the media on the eve of the match, Morozs said: “Herdi will definitely not play tomorrow. He has a serious shoulder injury that requires surgery, which will take place abroad.” While the coach did not specify an exact recovery timeline, he confirmed Prenga would be sidelined for at least a couple of months.
This injury adds to RFS’s growing concerns in central defense. In addition to Prenga — who started all eight of the club’s UEFA Europa League league phase matches last season — young talent Niks Sliede also remains out with a long-term injury. Coach Morozs will now have to choose a new partner for team captain Žiga Lipušček from a depleted pool, with options including the experienced Elvis Stuglis or younger, less experienced players such as Roberts Veips and Haruna Rasid Njie.
Despite these challenges, excitement is high for Tuesday night’s encounter. LNK Sporta Parks is sold out, and kick-off against Malmö is set for 20:00 local time.
