Centro Bortolotti Medical Center

8:30 AM

The medical center at Atalanta's training complex was modern and efficient with examination rooms arranged along a clean corridor, and Demien arrived with Sophia at 8:25 AM where a staff member was already waiting to take him directly to the imaging suite.

The MRI machine was large and white in a room that smelled like antiseptic and electronics, and the technician explained the procedure while helping Demien position himself on the sliding table with his right leg extended.

"Stay completely still," the technician said through the intercom once Demien was positioned inside the machine, and his voice came through speakers built into the equipment, "because this will take approximately twenty minutes."

The machine hummed and clicked while Demien lay motionless with his eyes closed, and the sound was rhythmic and mechanical, and he focused on his breathing to avoid thinking about what the scans would show even though he already knew the answer.

At 9:15 AM the scan was complete and Demien was helped off the table before being directed to a consultation room where Dr. Marchetti was waiting with a tablet displaying medical imaging software.

"Sit," Dr. Marchetti said, and his tone was professional.

Demien sat in the chair across from the doctor's desk while Sophia remained standing near the door, and the doctor turned his tablet to show an MRI image where a bright area was visible in the posterior thigh muscle.

"Grade two hamstring tear," Dr. Marchetti said directly, and he pointed at the bright area on the screen, "because this is the biceps femoris with approximately four centimeters of damage, and complete healing requires eight to twelve weeks minimum while no return to training happens until strength testing confirms full recovery."

The words landed with finality, and Demien's jaw tightened while his hands gripped the armrests of his chair, but his face stayed composed because the confirmation was expected even if hearing it officially still felt like a physical impact.

"Eight to twelve weeks," Demien repeated, and his voice was flat.

"Minimum," Dr. Marchetti emphasized, "because rushing hamstring injuries creates re-injury risk which extends recovery further, and the timeline is non-negotiable."

"World Cup?" Demien asked though he already knew the answer.

"Impossible," Dr. Marchetti said, and his response came without hesitation, "because even best-case recovery puts you returning to training in January."

Sophia's hand moved to Demien's shoulder and squeezed once, and he nodded without looking up while his mind processed the mathematics—November 10th plus twelve weeks meant late January or early February before he could even begin training again, which meant missing the entire World Cup and most of the season's second half.

"Rehabilitation begins Monday," Dr. Marchetti continued, and his hands folded across the tablet, "because the protocol is structured and progressive, and you must follow it exactly or risk extending the timeline, so do you have questions?"

"No," Demien said quietly.

"Medical staff will coordinate with Gasperini," Dr. Marchetti said, "and you'll receive the detailed protocol tomorrow."

The meeting ended and Demien stood carefully before walking toward the door, and Sophia followed without speaking while they moved through the corridor toward the exit.

Atalanta Official Statement

Thursday, November 10, 2022

2:47 PM

The club's official website published a brief statement that appeared simultaneously on all social media platforms, and the text was straightforward without accompanying photos or videos.

"Atalanta BC confirms that Demien Walter sustained a hamstring injury during last night's match against Spezia. Medical examinations this morning confirmed a grade two tear that will require an extended rehabilitation period. The club's medical staff will oversee his recovery program, which begins immediately. Further updates will be provided as appropriate. The entire Atalanta family wishes Demien a full and successful recovery."

The statement was shared within minutes across Italian and English media, and responses came quickly from journalists and analysts who had been waiting for official confirmation.

Sky Sport Italia: "Official: Walter Out Long-Term With Hamstring Tear"

The Guardian: "Atalanta Confirm Walter Injury Rules Him Out of World Cup"

Headlines shifted from speculation to confirmation, and the tone remained respectful while acknowledging the impact on both Atalanta's season and England's World Cup plans.

Former players provided commentary through the afternoon as broadcasts analyzed the injury's implications, and the consensus was measured acknowledgment that these injuries happen and that proper recovery was more important than rushed returns.

Gasperini's Office

Thursday, November 10, 2022

4:15 PM

The knock on Gasperini's office door came at exactly 4:15 PM as scheduled, and the manager called out for entry without looking up from the tactical notes on his desk.

Demien entered and closed the door behind him before sitting in the chair across from Gasperini's desk, and neither spoke immediately while the manager finished writing something in his notebook.

Finally Gasperini set his pen down and looked up, and his face showed nothing beyond professional focus.

"Eight to twelve weeks," he said, and it wasn't a question.

"Yes," Demien confirmed.

Gasperini nodded once, and his hands folded on the desk in front of him.

"Injuries are part of the game," he said, and his tone stayed even, "because nothing you did caused this while hamstrings tear sometimes from training load or match intensity or genetics or timing, and none of it matters now."

He leaned back in his chair while his hands remained folded.

"The only expectation is that you recover properly," Gasperini continued, "so follow the protocol exactly while not rushing and not cutting corners, and when you're ready to return the door stays open."

"What about the team?" Demien asked.

"The team adjusts," Gasperini replied, and his face showed no concern, "because that's my responsibility and not yours, while your responsibility is rehabilitation."

The conversation was direct and efficient without unnecessary emotion, and after another minute of tactical discussion about who would fill his role Gasperini gestured toward the door.

"Go home and rest," he said, "because recovery starts Monday."

Demien stood and walked to the door, and Gasperini's voice stopped him before he could leave.

"Walter," the manager said.

He turned and waited.

"Football careers don't move in straight lines," Gasperini said, and his eyes stayed on Demien's face, "so remember that."

Demien nodded once and left the office.

Demien's Apartment

Thursday, November 10, 2022

7:32 PM

The apartment was quiet when Demien returned, and Sophia was sitting on the couch with her laptop open while working on something, and she looked up when he entered before closing the computer.

"How did it go?" she asked.

"He said to recover properly and that there are no timeline promises," Demien replied while moving to the window.

"That's good advice," Sophia said.

Demien stood at the window and looked out at Bergamo's evening skyline, and lights were beginning to appear in windows across the city while traffic moved below, and everything continued normally despite his world having stopped.

His phone buzzed and he pulled it from his pocket to see his mother's name on the screen, and he answered while still facing the window.

"Mamma," he said.

"I saw the statement," Isabella's voice came through clearly, "so how are you?"

"Fine," Demien replied, "because I just have to wait."

"These things happen, tesoro," his mother said, and her tone carried the same calm she'd used when he was younger and things went wrong, "because your career won't end because of one injury, so be patient."

"I know," Demien said.

"Call me tomorrow because I want updates," Isabella said.

"I will," he replied.

The conversation ended and Demien pocketed his phone before turning back toward the room where Sophia was watching him with concern that she didn't try to hide.

"You should eat something," she said.

"Not hungry," Demien replied.

"Demien—" she started.

"I know," he said, "and I'll eat later."

She stood and walked to where he was standing, and her hand found his while her fingers laced through his, and they stood together looking out the window while the city moved below and the season continued without him.

By 9:00 PM the noise had faded as attention shifted elsewhere—to Sunday's fixtures and to squad debates and to players who were still available—and the football world moved forward because it always did.

Demien went to bed early with his leg elevated and his mind quieter than it had been the night before, and sleep came eventually though not easily, and when he woke Friday morning the reality was still there waiting.

For the first time in months he was watching instead of participating, and the season kept moving without him.

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