Leonardo Spinazzola reveals how he felt making his comeback 311 days after the devastating injury during EURO 2020 and his ‘dream’ of playing for Roma in the Conference League Final.
He had been out of action since tearing his Achilles tendon while playing for Italy in the EURO 2020 quarter-final against Belgium on July 2, 2021.
The left-back came off the bench in the final minute of this evening’s 2-0 Serie A defeat to Fiorentina at the Stadio Franchi, which was his first Serie A game since April 2021.
“I’ve felt good for about a month, at ease on the training ground and I couldn’t wait to get back on the pitch. Every minute on the turf is important to me now,” Spinazzola told DAZN.
The 29-year-old was asked what was going through his mind the moment he was on the touchline, waiting for the board to come up with his number for the substitution.
“I thought finally, the moment had come that I was dreaming of for these 10 months. I felt happy. My greatest happiness was just getting back into training with the rest of the team, to be honest, and feeling what that was like again.
“I know that I can get better as a player and I will be stronger than I was.”
This return will boost hopes that Spinazzola can play a part in the Europa Conference League Final when Roma face Feyenoord in Tirana on May 25.
“I really hoped we would get to the final for Roma, for the fans, but also for me. It’s important to just dream of playing in that final and feeling like myself again, so I can give a contribution to the team.”
The team’s tribute to #Spinazzola on the plane home 💙💙💙#Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/GVrkrDVktI
— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) July 3, 2021
Great to have Spina back playing again.
Absolutely great to see him back. I was worried he was having complications. I just hope he is given time to recuperate in full and not rush him back so a few minutes are good for now. Spina was the best player at the Euros by far and should have got the award and not Donnarumma. Forza Spina e ben tornato.