Wojciech Szczesny explains what happened during that health scare when Juventus faced Sporting CP in the Europa League and jokingly praised Mattia Perin. ‘I was scared, it had never happened to me before.’
The Poland international had made several great saves and collided with the upright, then moments later was touching his chest and alerting the medical staff that he had breathing difficulties.
After being checked over on the field, he walked off clearly distressed and was replaced by Perin, who went on to make a sensational last-minute double save to secure the 1-0 victory.
“I am fine, I was a little anxious, but we did all the tests and everything is fine,” Szczesny told Sky Sport Italia.
These were worrying scenes, especially as the Poland international was visibly in tears as he walked off on the stroke of half-time.
“I was scared, it had never happened to me before, I was struggling to breathe and it really worried me.”
As is Szczesny’s way, he immediately made a joke out of the whole situation and praised his replacement Mattia Perin, who was standing next to him during the interview.
“The truth is, I saw Mattia in great shape in training, I felt tired and knew he would have a great double save at the 94th. Nah, they fired it straight at him! I congratulated him, he is also a guy with a heart of gold, we get along well. It’s a shame Carlo (Pinsoglio) didn’t come on, he would’ve had a hat-trick of great saves today.
“Mattia is better at speaking, I am just handsome.”
Perin also spoke to Sky Sport Italia and again referred to third-choice shot-stopper Pinsoglio.
“We have this great synergy and Pinso perhaps more than anyone keeps us united and allows us all to improve each other. We joke around, but are the first to be professional and serious when needed.”
It has been a very strange season for Juve, who are docked 15 points in Serie A and will hear the appeal against that decision on April 19.
“I think the team as a whole has been exceptional not to fall into a victim mentality or false alibis, instead we used that negative energy and made it positive, proving we are real men,” added Perin.
“It is only half-time in the quarter-final, there are another 90 minutes to go and we can be happy with this victory, but it’s only half-done.”
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