Gaetano Castrovilli returned on the pitch in Wednesday’s friendly versus Lugano eight months after suffering multiple knee injuries. The inventive midfielder came off the bench with 15 minutes to go and rounded out the 6-1 score with a little lob over the goalkeeper.
The 25-year-old dislocated his left knee in April against Venezia and was later diagnosed with ACL, MCL, and an external meniscus tears. He resumed practicing on grass in early November.
Castrovilli talked to the press after the game (via Sportitalia).
“It was a unique emotion, and I teared up a little after scoring. I’m super happy and very satisfied. It was a long journey that finally had a happy ending. I wish to share a thought for Gianluca Vialli. We are all pulling for him.”
“The most difficult moment was the initial injury. I took the rehab in stride from the following day, seeing it another challenge I had to overcome to be back on the pitch as soon as possible. I was never down in the dumps. My wife and my family gave me incredible strength.”
Castrovilli played as a pivot in his first cameo.
“We’ll see with the coach. My teammates have been working on this scheme for more time. I have to adjust to it. Then, it’ll be up to the gaffer to decide.”
The midfielder weighed in on how Fiorentina have fared so fall.
“Every team has peaks and valleys, and we were able to get out of it, finishing on a high note before the World Cup. We have to pick up where we left off, because we are really strong.”
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