As if he were here. More than being here. The work of recovering from the injury for Riccardo Moraschini is something that goes beyond the summer preparation. Six hours a day (“I always do double training, morning and afternoon”), without breaks. August included. A stone’s throw from home, at Isokinetic in Bologna, excellence in sports and orthopedic rehabilitation.
We went to hear the guard of S. Bernardo Cantù during a break in knee rehabilitation.
Ricky, come va?
Good. Come on, good. Week after week, better and better. Now I’ve even started jogging a little in a straight line.
Feelings?
More than positive. Never had any problems, pains or setbacks. Everything is going as planned.
And what do you mean by expected?
Everyone, from the person who operated on me to the medical staff in Cantù and the physiotherapists here in Bologna, have always said three months for a complete recovery. So let’s say around the second half of September. A day more or less, it doesn’t matter at this point. What matters is that everything goes well.
We’ll be waiting for you in Cantù when, then?
End of the month. Let’s say the 27th or 28th, depending on how things go with the re-education. But I can’t wait to “come up” and hug the kids.
How did you experience this period? Upbeat or with down moments?
I have always faced the situation with maximum positivity. When I was walking around with a brace and crutches and when I took them off. I did everything calmly, now there is the awareness that even these setbacks are part of our job. And even finishing the season in that unfortunate way, paradoxically, gave me great determination and the desire to return as before. Indeed, better than before.
Have you ever been scared?
The rehabilitation work never worried me. To be honest, the thing that worried me the most was waiting for the diagnosis. There, yes, you fear and always think of something more serious. It’s the wait that unnerves you.
It wasn’t a small injury, though…
But, given the gravity of what happened to me this time, I would say that the best thing happened to me. And that helped.
What do you expect from here on?
Obviously to improve day by day. Without wanting to rush things, it will be essential to see the reaction when I start to do the individual part on the field and push more. In addition to when I have to return to the group.
Between the brace and crutches, how much muscle tone have you lost?
Let’s say that thirty days is not a short time, but thank God I have always managed to stay in shape. Even at Isokinetic, with the same physiotherapist who had followed me after the cruciate surgery, during these weeks we were able to see how things were going well on this front too. Another factor that has always kept me positive and optimistic.
How do you see this team that is being born?
Good. Good. It seems strong, good and solid to me. With many guys who have done A2, and as protagonists, and others who come down from Serie A after important experiences. I really like the fact that it was built with clear and precise ideas. With roles, skills and leadership already outlined.
Speaking of leadership, the coach has publicly emphasized your…
I spoke with Brienza immediately after he signed. He wanted to call me to find out how I was and to announce the centrality of my presence within the team. It’s very nice to hear that I’m an important linchpin of the group.
Even something more, we would say.
Indeed. The coach said he wants to count on my leadership and on the quality that I can and must make available to my teammates. I have to be honest, I already feel this great trust.
Among those you will find again, this time there will also be Andrea De Nicolao, with whom you have also played a lot recently.
We’ve been adversaries for ages. Even since the youth teams. Then we went through the entire process of the youth national teams themselves and two years ago we found ourselves together in Venice.
What kind of player is he?
Experienced, very experienced. A very high quality playmaker. Who knows how to manage time and rhythm. I am very happy that he is here with us.
And how are we doing with your captain, who is much more to you?
Beyond the injury, the constant is that we hear from each other regularly. Regardless. Imagine now… With Filippo (Baldi Rossi, ed.) we saw and heard from each other constantly. Nice, as always. Too nice, come on.