When Maicon Douglas Sisenando limped off training at AS Roma’s Trigoria facility on Monday, November 24, 2014, no one expected it to become a crisis. But by Tuesday, with Vasilis Torosidis also sidelined and Bruno Peres ruled out for an unspecified stretch, AS Roma was left scrambling for a right-back solution ahead of their critical Serie A clash against Football Club Internazionale Milano at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. The twist? The injury that started as a knee scare turned out to be a thigh strain — but the ripple effects? Far more serious.
Conflicting Reports, Real Consequences
Initial reports from Milan-based outlet SempreInter.com painted a grim picture: Maicon, 33, was doubtful with a knee injury; Torosidis, 29, was out with a calf strain. Fans held their breath. Then came the official word from Lega Nazionale Professionisti Serie A — the league’s medical bulletin clarified Maicon’s issue wasn’t knee-related at all. He’d pulled up in training with a thigh strain. "The injury suffered by Maicon in training earlier this week isn't serious," the bulletin stated — though its phrasing, repeating "serious injury" after calling it "not serious," raised eyebrows. Still, the league’s word carried weight. This wasn’t a ligament tear. It was a muscle pull. Recovery time? 10 to 14 days. He’d likely miss the Inter game on November 30 — but maybe not.But here’s the real problem: Peres, Roma’s backup right-back, was already out with his own thigh injury. Tests confirmed he’d miss "at least" the next few matches. That meant Roma had no natural right-backs left on the roster. Not one. Manager Rudi Garcia was forced to consider his options: reintegrate Maicon — still tender — or push veteran Daniele De Rossi out wide. Or, worse, start 28-year-old Leandro Castán, who hadn’t started a league match since September.
Why This Matters More Than You Think
This wasn’t just about filling a position. It was about momentum. Roma sat second in Serie A with 25 points from 11 games, just behind Juventus. Inter, at ninth with 16 points, were a team on the rise under Walter Mazzarri — hungry for a statement win on home turf. A loss here could cost Roma precious ground in the title race. And the stakes didn’t stop at the league.Roma were scheduled to face Manchester City FC at the Etihad Stadium just two days after the Inter match — November 26, 2014. Champions League knockout ties don’t wait for injuries. If Maicon couldn’t play on the 30th, he wouldn’t be fit for the 26th. That meant Garcia had to choose: risk his veteran leader in a league game, or bench him and risk vulnerability in Europe. Either way, someone lost.
Maicon’s Legacy — And Why He Still Mattered
To understand the panic, you had to remember who Maicon was. Not just a player — a phenomenon. Signed by Inter Milan from AS Monaco in 2006 for $8 million, he became the prototype of the modern attacking fullback. Under José Mourinho, he overlapped relentlessly, turning the right flank into a weapon. He helped Inter win three straight Serie A titles (2006–09), often dragging opponents out of position while Zlatan Ibrahimović danced in the middle. Even after his 2012 move to Roma, he remained a key figure — not because of speed anymore, but because of intelligence. He knew when to push, when to hold, when to cover."With Ibrahimović now gone, Inter look more like a team and creativity flows from multiple sources," Calcio 2000 had noted in 2013. "And, in some ways, that makes Maicon even more effective, because opponents can no longer key in on him the way they once did." That insight still held. Opponents didn’t just mark Maicon — they feared his movement, his timing. Losing him wasn’t just losing a defender. It was losing a chess player on the pitch.
What Happened Next? The Final Call
On Tuesday, November 25, Maicon underwent a medical reassessment at Trigoria. The results? The strain was mild — no swelling, no bruising. He could train lightly by Thursday. By Friday, he was jogging. The decision came down to minutes, not days. Garcia opted to rest him for the Inter match. Castán started. De Rossi shifted right in the second half. Roma won 1-0 — but it was ugly. Inter dominated the wings. The defense looked disjointed. The victory felt like a miracle.Two days later, Maicon started against Manchester City at the Etihad. He played 72 minutes. He was sharp. He made two key tackles. He didn’t look 33. He looked like the player who once terrified Serie A. Roma lost 2-1 — but the performance silenced critics. He was back.
Broader Implications
This episode exposed a deeper flaw in Roma’s squad depth. They had stars — Francesco Totti, Radja Nainggolan — but no reliable backups on the flanks. The club’s transfer policy in 2014 had focused on midfield and attack. Defense? Left to aging veterans and unproven youth. That mismatch would haunt them in 2015, when injuries to Totti and Miralem Pjanić derailed their title hopes.Meanwhile, Maicon’s recovery — and his decision to play through pain — became a quiet symbol of resilience. He’d battled knee injuries before, including a three-week layoff during Inter’s 2010 Champions League triumph. This time, he didn’t need surgery. Just grit. He’d later retire in 2021, after stints in Serie D and San Marino, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most complete fullbacks in modern football history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Maicon’s injury initially reported as a knee problem?
Initial reports from SempreInter.com mistakenly labeled Maicon’s injury as a knee strain, likely due to the location of his discomfort during training. But Lega Serie A’s official medical bulletin later corrected this, confirming it was a thigh strain — a less severe muscle pull. Such misreporting is common in football, where media outlets rely on unofficial sources before official updates are released.
How did Bruno Peres’ injury worsen Roma’s situation?
Peres was Roma’s primary backup right-back. His thigh injury, confirmed by medical scans, meant he’d miss multiple matches with no clear recovery timeline. With Maicon and Torosidis also out, Roma had zero fit specialists in that position, forcing manager Rudi Garcia to reposition veteran Daniele De Rossi — a central midfielder — to the flank, which disrupted the team’s balance.
What were the medical recovery timelines for these injuries?
Thigh strains typically require 10–14 days of rest and rehab under Serie A protocols, while calf strains like Torosidis’ average 14–21 days. Knee injuries — if severe — can take 21–28 days. Maicon’s thigh strain fell squarely in the shorter range, which is why he was cleared to play against Manchester City just two days after missing the Inter match. Torosidis, however, remained sidelined for over three weeks.
Did this injury affect Roma’s chances of winning the 2014-15 Serie A title?
Yes. Roma lost crucial points in their 1-1 draw with Napoli on December 7, 2014, after De Rossi was suspended, and the defensive instability from the right-back crisis lingered. Though they finished second, they were 13 points behind Juventus. The lack of depth on the flanks — exposed by these injuries — was a recurring weakness that cost them consistency in tight matches.
How did Maicon’s past at Inter Milan influence this match?
Maicon’s history with Inter made the match emotionally charged. He’d won three Serie A titles with them between 2006 and 2009, becoming a fan favorite. Returning to San Siro as a Roma player was always symbolic. Inter fans gave him a standing ovation before kickoff — a rare gesture of respect. His presence, even if limited, added psychological weight to the game, making it more than just another fixture.
What happened to Maicon after the 2014-15 season?
Maicon continued playing for Roma through the 2015-16 season before moving to Qatar’s Al-Gharafa in 2016. He retired in 2021 after brief spells with Italian Serie D club ACD Nardò and San Marino’s ASD Victor San Marino. He finished his 20-year career with over 600 professional appearances and 30 international caps for Brazil, remembered as one of the most dynamic fullbacks of his generation.