In what turned out to be an epic 4-3 win away at Roma last season for Juventus, also turned out to be one of misfortune for Federico Chiesa. Following a strong challenge by Chris Smalling, the Italian winger picked up a major Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury to his left knee, which made him miss the latter half of the 2021/22 season and the start of the current campaign.
However, the EURO 2020 winner does not hold the English defender in contempt for the tackle.
Speaking on the Juventus Twitch channel (via VoceGiallorossa), Chiesa recalled the fateful incident that ruled him out for almost an year.
“Looking back at the surgery, it certainly wasn’t great, but Smalling’s goal was to get the ball. He went on the ball, he didn’t do it with malice. These things happen in contact sports. I saw the same thing happen recently to my former teammate, Rodrigo Bentancur, to whom I wish to wish a big good luck. Very little was enough, these are things that happen a thousand times but a fraction of a second is enough in which you put your foot badly and then you stay out for 6/7 months. Sometimes you think: ‘damn I broke everything’, and then you get back up.”
Consistent muscle problems following his surgery has restricted the Fiorentina youth product to just 14 Bianconeri appearances this season. However, Chiesa is still in Massimiliano Allegri’s plans going forward despite not seeing much playing time.
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