FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The former defender recounts the avoided tragedy that befell him on his birthday: "A difficult friend to get over, physically and psychologically. Kivu one of us, proud to see him leading Inter."
Just the fact that he can pronounce those two words connected by a hyphen, Juve-Inter, is life for Lucio. The former Brazilian defender, now 47, the cornerstone of the black-and-blue wall in the Triplet season and an occasional passerby in a black-and-white year, four months ago risked his life in an accident at home: an ecological fireplace exploded and caused burns to 18% of his body, forcing him to stay in hospital for 20 days between intensive therapy and difficult interventions.
“I’m still here to show it,” he says on the phone. “God gave me a second half of the match: it will take time to get over the shock, especially mentally.”
"It will take a few more months before I'm 100% back, but I can say that the worst is over. Being bedridden was the worst, a real trauma. Burns are a very difficult type of injury to deal with, both physically and psychologically. I'm still undergoing skin treatment, which is long, but I'm getting better."
"It happened suddenly, while I was having dinner at a friend's house, shortly after I had celebrated my 47th birthday on May 8. At one point the fireplace had gone out, and unfortunately a friend, trying to rekindle the fire, threw a can of alcohol on top and that's when the explosion occurred. I only remember the flames on my face, arms and legs. My wife was not injured and at that moment I jumped into the pool. I was transferred from Brasilia to Rio Grande do Sul on May 21, and I remember well the difficulty in sleeping because of the pain. I had never spent so much time in the hospital, the operations were necessary to remove tissue and to give special medications. At this point I would like to give one more message, may I?"
"What happened to me should remind us how important it is to take care of ourselves and others. I experienced something I never imagined, but I learned that sometimes a little is enough to avoid tragedies: caution, clarity, simple gestures. Take care of yourself, protect yourself: it's worth it. But luckily now I have... Inter."
"Here too, let's start with the trauma... Getting over the end of last season is difficult, but everything starts from there. The desire to come back will be crucial, especially considering last year's heavy loss."
What impression do you get of your former friend Kivu?
"It seems like it's always been there! To think that 15 years after the Triplet one of us is leading the team is a source of pride. When I think of him, I remember our great defense, our desire to help each other that can be an inspiration even now. I remember the night with Barcelona: we still joke about the bus parked in front of the goal, to motivate me and break the tension Cristiano told me that we would blow the ball to Messi. And that's what happened. Now he will have to show skill and competence on the field, but as a defender, I like his new idea of pressing".
What is the advantage for your ex-boyfriend?
"Let's start with the great players who remain: Lautaro and Turam are unmatched in Italy, although this time with Bremer it will be a great challenge because they will face an extraordinary defender who changes Juve more than any new signing. Then Çalha, although criticized, is the best director of the championship and the Italians of the team, from Barela to Dimarko, rarely make mistakes. However, for me the priority is to fix the defense..."
"Adding such an experienced player like Akanji could help a lot. Too many goals conceded for such a strong team is a problem, you have to have the satisfaction of individual goals and suffer for the group. If everyone pulls in the same direction, it could be a different season, with concrete opportunities to win trophies. In Turin not conceding a goal is always difficult, but Inter can do it."
How do you see the young Brazilian in the black and blue jersey?
"We hope to see him, first of all... I've followed a bit of Luis Henrique's evolution in Ligue 1, which is a very physical and fast championship: I believe he can bring quality and add something important to Inter. A close match against Juve might need a bit of Brazilian madness and dribbling."
Let's close with memories: what is the "Derby of Italy" of your life?
"The quarter-finals of the 2009-2010 Coppa Italia, 2-1 with the first goal from Lucio. A push with the tip of the foot. That moment remains engraved in my mind: for the match itself and for the joy of the moment. Although in reality I would have been much happier at the end of the season."
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