Tuttosport 02/08/99 : Interview with Aldo Esposito (team physiotherapist)
ALDO ESPOSITO, WHAT IS DEL PIERO'S STATUS?
"He's not yet 100%, but he's beginning to feel well. He works with us in the gym and on the field. For what I'm concerned, I prepared a personal timetable, considering the injury he's sustained and his physical characteristics."
DOES THE WORK CHANGE EVERY DAY?
"Every five days, Alessandro makes a jump test with Ventrone to see his neuromuscular reaction. According to this test, we change his program. We just did the latest test and there are improvements, but we still need two more days to have definite answers."
WHAT IS HE MISSING?
"He has to play, because only a match gives you something that neither the gym nor the traning gives you. But we have to remember that the boy, together with his teammates, has sustained a great workload and this has an effect on his dynamism."
HE'S DESTINED TO IMPROVE QUICKLY THEN.
"I believe so. Our objective is to prepare him for the beginning of the season and there shouldn't be any problem in this."
DID DEL PIERO HAVE DIFFICULT TIMES?
"Yes, but he got over both fear and emotion. His mental and physical balance helped him a lot, together with his professionalism. There are only good boys and hard workers here, but he goes a step further: he never gives up, he's meticulous, he never gives anything to chance. Sometimes I told
him to do something, then I would leave him alone so he wouldn't feel the pressure, since I knew that he would do it."
DID HE PLAY OTHER SPORTS DURING HIS REHAB?
"Swimming, bicycle riding, and tennis, for example. At the end, he also played basketball, because it gives you the opportunity to think about something else (the ball) than your own body. Alessandro, BTW, is very good at b-ball. He also played golf and beach-volley this summer in Baia di Conte in Sardinia, where we spent 15 days of vacation."
DID YOU HAVE THE VACATIONS TOGETHER?
"Yes, obviously. For me, Alessandro is like a son."
CONGRATULATIONS: YOU HAVE A BOY THAT EARNS PRETTY GOOD MONEY.
"Let's hope that he remembers of his dad..."
Interview by Stefano Agresti (Tuttosport 02/08/99)
