Juventus goalkeeper and Poland international Wojciech Szczesny has shared frightening details of his health scare during the Bianconeri’s Europa League clash with Sporting CP back in April.
The former Arsenal and Roma ‘keeper was taken ill during the first half of the Europa League Round of 16 first leg against Sporting on April 13, leaving the pitch in tears after his teammates urged the club’s medical staff onto the pitch to administer treatment.
At the time, Szczesny was spotted repeatedly pointing to his chest, before Juve’s doctors informed coach Massimilano Allegri that he would not be able to continue playing.
In a recent interview with Canal Plus Polonia, Szczesny told his version of events of the worrying incident.
“It was scary, I really thought I was going to die,” he told the Polish network. “After passing a ball to the defender I felt like my heart was about to explode. During a corner kick I told Milik I was hurt but the Sporting players were already taking a corner kick.
“The chest pain was horrible, to this day we don’t know the reason, probably back or spine problems.”
Thankfully, and despite not having got to the bottom of the root causes of the issue, Szczesny was deemed fit enough to return to the starting line-up in time for the return leg against Sporting the following week, which ended in a 1-1 draw and a 2-1 win for the Old Lady on aggregate, setting up a semi-final encounter with eventual champions Sevilla.