Kevin Strootman celebrated his comeback after 13 months. “I feel like a player again now.”
The midfielder hadn’t played since January 2015, but he has effectively been out since March 2014 with two knee operations.
He came off the bench for the final 12 minutes in this evening’s 5-0 victory over Palermo and was given a truly touching welcome from the crowd.
Kevin Strootman celebrated his comeback after 13 months. “I feel like a player again now.”
The midfielder hadn’t played since January 2015, but he has effectively been out since March 2014 with two knee operations.
He came off the bench for the final 12 minutes in this evening’s 5-0 victory over Palermo and was given a truly touching welcome from the crowd.
“Coming back here at the Olimpico is just perfect, especially in a game like this,” Strootman told Mediaset Premium.
“I feel like a player again now. I was never afraid of having to give up completely. I had reached 80 per cent and felt pretty good, then they told me I needed another operation.
“It’s been tough, we worked well with the medics and all my teammates. Now I am back on the pitch, but I’m not at 100 per cent yet and I'm working on it.
"This is why we play, for the fans and for this atmosphere. I already feel tired! Now I need to work so I can play properly."