When Atalanta's physios reached him they knelt beside him immediately, and one of them spoke softly while the other began checking his right hamstring with gentle pressure, and Demien's head shook side to side in response to whatever question was asked.
Then his face crumpled.
Tears came before he could stop them, and they spilled down his cheeks while his hands covered his eyes, and his breathing became uneven as everything hit at once—frustration and fear and the timing of it all—and he bit his lip hard while trying to control himself.
Koopmeiners knelt beside him and squeezed his shoulder without speaking, and the Dutch midfielder's face showed concern while his hand stayed on Demien's shoulder, and he said something too quiet for the cameras to pick up.
Lookman stood nearby with his hands on his hips while staring at the turf, and his jaw worked side to side while he waited, and De Roon approached and put his hand on Demien's other shoulder briefly before stepping back.
