Diego Milito has his sights set on a comeback against Juventus after his devastating injury. “I couldn’t have saved Inter, though.”
Diego Milito has his sights set on a comeback against Juventus after his devastating injury. “I couldn’t have saved Inter, though.”
The Nerazzurri forward snapped three different ligaments in his left knee on February 14 during a Europa League game with Cluj, leading to fears his career could be over.
“I’d never had a serious injury before then, at most only muscular problems. There’s no comparison with the pain I felt at that moment,” revealed the 34-year-old to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“The medical staff said ‘it just had to happen,’ so there was no warning. Was it decisive for Inter’s bad season? Nobody can save a team by himself. Besides, there were so many injuries, Javier Zanetti on top of them all.
“It is a real struggle to be off the field, of wanting to lend a hand and not being able to. It’s like a punch to the stomach.”
At first Milito was ruled out for nine months, then doctors reduced that prediction to six months.
“I often speak to the doctors, but we haven’t set a date on the calendar yet. I go on day by day. We’re on the right track, but mustn’t run any risks. In order to come back I have to be in perfect shape, as it’s not worth it otherwise.
“I am still missing the sensation of playing a ‘tough’ game between ranks. The knee hasn’t swollen or taken any setbacks.
“My initial dream was to be there for the start of the season, but in mid-September there’s a certain game at San Siro… I prefer not to kid myself, but maybe I could do it.”
The target he’s referring to is Inter-Juventus, which is in the fixture list for Serie A Week 3, the weekend of September 15. Click here for the full Serie A 2013-14 calendar.