Bove on the bench for Fiorentina-Udinese with an exemption

Ilaria Masini

December 23 – 6.52pm – FIRENZE

Franchi's applause was immediate when Edoardo Bove arrived on the pitch during the anthem and positioned himself on the sidelines to watch Fiorentina-Udinese, a very special match for him and for Fiorentina because the midfielder the first time, after his illness on December 1st, he returned to the Franchi, as a special spectator, surrounded by the affection of the public and the joy of the club, teammates and staff. “Having Bove with us is an extra boost and we will give everything for ourselves and for him,” Gosens said before kick-off. The player waved towards the stands, certainly excited, and with his reserved manner, which has always distinguished him, he sat down on the additional bench near his teammates.

on the bench

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Thanks to an exemption requested by Fiorentina and granted by the FIGC, Bove can follow the match directly from the bench and not from the stands. An added emotion for the midfielder who, since December 1st, when he collapsed to the ground in the 17th minute of the first half of Fiorentina-Inter, amidst general fear for his health, has been surrounded by the affection of the city. For all of Florence it is Edo, to be supported and shown one's affection.

the first applause

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Edoardo Bove arrived at the Artemio Franchi by bus, together with the rest of the team, and then followed his teammates, in tracksuits, from the sidelines, already during the pre-match warm-up phase and while he was taking a seat on the bench he received the first applause from the fans already present in the stands who immediately recognized him.

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the return

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His presence at the stadium today makes the match special, just as special was the day he was discharged from Careggi hospital, where a subcutaneous defibrillator was implanted, and when he returned to Viola Park for the first time on December 14th. Even today is a first time, which certainly will not remain unique, but for everyone it is an additional reason for joy to see the player back at Franchi. At the sports center, however, he has been a constant and daily presence for some time because he cannot train, but participates in all the other activities of the group, including technical meetings. Today, however, is another step, with a particular flavor of completion because he watches from the bench at Fiorentina-Udinese.