Isaksen Sidelined During Preseason, Opening The Door For Cancellieri And Noslin

Lazio’s preseason preparations have been dealt a blow with the confirmed absence of Danish winger Gustav Isaksen, who has been diagnosed with mononucleosis. The club confirmed that the 24-year-old is currently in home isolation and will miss the upcoming friendly fixtures in Turkey against Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray.

After missing several training sessions due to persistent fever and fatigue, Isaksen underwent further medical tests at Villa Mafalda. The results confirmed the viral infection known as mononucleosis, often referred to as the "kissing disease" due to its transmission through saliva. Lazio’s medical staff now expect the recovery process to take at least two more weeks, depending on how quickly the symptoms subside.

Isaksen had started the preseason with strong ambitions, aiming to impress Maurizio Sarri and earn a starting spot in Lazio’s attacking trident. The former Midtjylland talent hoped to build on his encouraging debut season and replicate the impact he had under Marco Baroni last year. However, this illness has set him back significantly.

Now sidelined and forced to restart his fitness program from scratch, Isaksen finds himself trailing behind new arrival Tijjani Noslin and fellow winger Matteo Cancellieri in the pecking order. According to Il Corriere dello Sport and Il Messaggero, his return will only be considered once his test results turn negative and he is cleared to resume physical training.

Despite the setback, Lazio has acted swiftly to contain the situation. The club reassured fans that Isaksen has been isolated since the early symptoms appeared, minimizing the risk of transmission to other players. At this stage, there are no indications that any teammates have been affected.

The Lazio medical staff remains cautious, emphasizing rest and full recovery before the player can resume any athletic activity. Given the unpredictable nature of mononucleosis, which can cause fatigue for weeks or even months, a gradual reintegration into training will be essential.

While the timing is far from ideal, both the club and player are optimistic that this is just a temporary hurdle. Isaksen will hope to rejoin the group in August and regain momentum as Lazio prepare for the upcoming Serie A season.

Until then, the Danish winger faces a period of forced rest—watching from the sidelines as his teammates continue their preseason in Turkey.