Fiorentina midfielder Edoardo Bove is “awake and alert” and has spoken to his coach and team-mates following his collapse during Sunday’s abandoned Serie A match against Inter.
Bove, 22, was taken to hospital after losing consciousness, having fallen to the ground after tying his shoelaces in the first half of the match in Florence.
Fiorentina confirmed the midfielder will undergo further tests to determine the cause of the incident.
Bove was sedated upon being admitted to intensive care at Careggi University Hospital, and the club explained he had woken on Monday morning and had spoken with his family, team-mates and club staff.
Following the news, Fiorentina have returned to training to prepare for Wednesday’s Coppa Italia fixture against Empoli.
A club statement read: “ACF Fiorentina reports that Edoardo Bove, after spending a peaceful night, was woken up and extubated (had a tube removed) this morning. He is currently awake and alert. He spoke with his family, Fiorentina management, the coach and his teammates who rushed to see him as soon as they received the good news. Further examinations will be carried out in the coming days to determine the causes of the critical situation that occurred yesterday.
“The doctors treating the player confirm that diagnostic investigations are continuing.
“Fiorentina would like to thank the Careggi University Hospital, all doctors and staff for the work done with great humanity and professionalism. Thanks also go to all the Popolo Viola and the entire world of soccer who, in this delicate moment, have shown great closeness with their messages and support that have given great comfort both to the club and to Edoardo and his family.
“ACF Fiorentina informs that, given the reassuring news that arrived during the day and after the video call that Edoardo wanted to make with all his teammates, the coach and the technical staff gathered at the Viola Park, the team has decided to return immediately to the field and prepare the challenge with Empoli on Wednesday.
“President Commisso is in constant contact with the Viola management and Edoardo’s family and has been reassured by the boy’s father about his health condition waiting to speak directly with him in the coming hours.”
During the first half of Sunday’s fixture, the players were initially disputing a disallowed goal from Inter’s Lautaro Martinez before attentions turned to Bove. Players were visibly distressed as Bove received attention on the pitch, before then being taken off on a stretcher and into an ambulance that had arrived at the side of the Artemio Franchi.
Referee Daniele Doveri sent both teams to the dressing rooms and suspended play. The game was later abandoned and a joint statement from Fiorentina and Careggi University Hospital confirmed that Bove had lost consciousness on the pitch.
Bove has played in all 11 of Fiorentina’s league games he has been available for this season, having joined on loan from Roma in August. Having come through Roma’s academy, Bove played 92 matches for his boyhood club before departing this summer. He is also an Italy Under-21 international.
(Tiziana Fabi/AFP via Getty Images)
