BERGAMO, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 21: Charles De Ketelaere of Atalanta BC looks on during the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 group stage match between Atalanta BC and Rakow Czestochowa at Gewiss Stadium on September 21, 2023 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)
BERGAMO, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 21: Charles De Ketelaere of Atalanta BC looks on during the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 group stage match between Atalanta BC and Rakow Czestochowa at Gewiss Stadium on September 21, 2023 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)

Atalanta are forced to do without Charles De Ketelaere for the first time this season, as he has picked up a muscular injury that should also rule him out of Belgium-Italy.

The former Milan attacking midfielder has been ever-present so far this term, a valuable tactical variant when Gianluca Scamacca has been out of action since the summer.

However, De Ketelaere has been diagnosed with a lesion to the femoral bicep in his left leg and will be out of action for a couple of weeks.

De Ketelaere setback

BERGAMO, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 15: Charles De Ketelaere of Atalanta BC scores his team's second goal during the Serie A match between Atalanta and Fiorentina at Gewiss Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)
BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 15: Charles De Ketelaere of Atalanta BC scores his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between Atalanta and Fiorentina at Gewiss Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)

That means missing Sunday’s Serie A match against Udinese, as well as the Nations League showdown between Belgium and Italy in Brussels next week.

De Ketelaere contributed two goals and six assists in 16 games between Serie A, the Champions League and UEFA Super Cup.

Sead Kolasinac is also a major doubt after limping off during the 2-0 Champions League victory away to VfB Stuttgart, with Giorgio Scalvini and Scamacca long-term absentees.

Atalanta have won each of their last four competitive matches and are unbeaten in eight.

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