Jan Ziółkowski faces extended absence at Monza after suffering plantar fascia injury

Injury confirmed after Parma fixture

Polish center-back Jan Ziółkowski faces an extended period on the sidelines after sustaining a plantar fascia injury, Monza head coach Ivan Jurić announced following Sunday's 1:1 Serie A draw against Parma. The 21-year-old was left out of the matchday squad for the fixture on 6 September 2026, creating surprise among supporters because the club had not reported any prior fitness concerns. Monza has not released a formal medical bulletin specifying an expected recovery timeline, but Jurić confirmed that the defender will miss substantial playing time. The setback interrupts Ziółkowski's campaign less than a week after completing his transfer from AS Roma.

Monza head coach Ivan Jurić addressed the defender's physical condition during the post-match press conference.

We are unlucky. Ziółkowski suffered a plantar fascia injury and will be sidelined for a long time.

Move to Monza and quick debut

Ziółkowski completed a loan move from AS Roma to AC Monza on 31 August 2026, with the agreement containing an option for a permanent transfer. The central defender, born in 2005, sought regular playing time in Serie A after spending the previous campaign developing in the Italian capital. Two days after finalizing the contract, Ziółkowski made his debut for Monza in a Coppa Italia fixture against Torino on 2 September 2026. He entered the match for the final 14 minutes, helping his new team defend a 1:0 victory. The foot injury occurred shortly after that appearance, halting his integration into Jurić's defensive rotation.

Roma background and Serie A record

Roma signed Ziółkowski from Legia Warsaw in the summer of 2025 for a transfer fee of 6.6 million euros. He made his Serie A debut for the Roman club on 28 September 2025 and accumulated 23 appearances and one goal across all competitions in the 2025-2026 season. His participation included 18 Serie A fixtures, four Europa League matches, and one Coppa Italia tie. Despite regular matchday involvement, he did not establish himself as an undisputed starter in Rome, prompting the loan arrangement with Monza for the 2026-2027 campaign.

Absence ahead of Nations League schedule

The injury directly affects the Poland national team ahead of the upcoming international training camp beginning on 21 September 2026. Ziółkowski has earned three senior caps under head coach Jan Urban, starting with a 90-minute appearance in a friendly against New Zealand. He subsequently featured in two World Cup qualifiers, playing seven minutes in a 2:0 win over Lithuania and the full 90 minutes in a 1:1 draw against the Netherlands. Poland faces four UEFA Nations League Division B fixtures across a two-week window, beginning at home against Bosnia and Herzegovina on 25 September and away to Sweden on 28 September. The team will then host Romania on 2 October before traveling to face Bosnia and Herzegovina on 5 October. Poland captain Robert Lewandowski will participate in the camp despite ongoing Major League Soccer commitments with Chicago Fire.