Genoa invite Gattuso and Cassano

Genoa captain Marco Rossi asked Gennaro Gattuso and Antonio Cassano to make the trip with Milan after their recent health scares.

Genoa captain Marco Rossi asked Gennaro Gattuso and Antonio Cassano to make the trip with Milan after their recent health scares.

Cassano is out for six months after suffering from a mini-stroke and undergoing surgery on a congenital heart defect, while Gattuso’s recovery time is unknown due to the paralysis of an optical nerve that affects the vision in one eye.

“I was emotional at seeing how much dignity Gattuso showed in telling the world what had happened to him,” said Rossi.

“Fortunately, it seems as if the problem might be resolving itself. His message was so extraordinarily humble and he gave such courage to those who are suffering.

“It would be wonderful for me and my teammates to salute him in person when Milan come to Genoa on Friday. There would be very special hugs for him and for Cassano.”

Milan’s Serie A trip to Marassi has been brought forward to Friday evening.