Marco Silvestri featured on Udinese TV from our pre-season training camp in Lienz to reflect on his injury battle and his targets for the new season, starting with the opener against AC Milan.
“It was a very tough injury. I lived with a hernia for three months and it was really difficult, so we decided to go ahead with the operation in late May before the last league game. Now I’m really pleased with the way I’ve come back. The operation went smoothly and my recovery was very good thanks to our medical staff. I’m back at 100% now.
“We had lovely holiday time as a family, but I find it difficult to be away from the pitch. Getting back to Udine early was a display of my professionalism because I needed to join up with the team as quickly as possible. It was a decision that we took with the medical staff and it was the right one to be able to join up with the squad for the training camp now.
“I felt really good out there against Bayer Leverkusen. I played the first 45 minutes and was physically fine. I didn’t have any problems out on the pitch. I’m pleased to have got back in good shape because that’s what makes the difference. If you’re physically fit, everything else comes automatically.
“There are so many good young players here. The club is making good moves and we’re working hard with Andrea Sottil. We’re all very excited and that goes for players and staff alike. We have to keep it up in order to learn about the coach’s footballing ideas in the best way possible and to implement them on the pitch as soon as we can.
“[Adam] Masina has really impressed me in terms of the new signings. He’s a top player both physically and technically. I’m very calm about the transfer window at the moment. I’m so happy in Udine and I’m fully focused on Udinese.
“It’ll be a great game against Milan, the reigning champions, at a packed-out San Siro. We’ll kick off with fireworks. We hope to be physically up to the task and at 100% to make a good start to the campaign. It’ll be a great battle with [Mike] Maignan, who’s a top goalkeeper. He showed that last season by saving Milan in certain situations that could’ve been difficult with one or two key stops to earn them points in big games, which is what the best shotstoppers do. He deserved to win the goalkeeper of the year award. He and [David] Ospina were the two best goalkeepers.”