Report: Cassano suffered a stroke
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Shanghai Daily, November 2, 2011
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AC Milan's Antonio Cassano reacts during their Italian Serie A soccer match against Juventus at the Juventus Stadium in Turin Oct 2, 2011. [Photo/Agencies] |
Italian news agency ANSA reported on Monday that AC Milan striker Antonio Cassano suffered a mini stroke on his return from Rome this weekend.
Cassano has remained at the Policlinico facility where he was taken for tests after falling ill on Milan's plane following the team's 3-2 victory over Roma on Saturday.
Milan has not disclosed the nature of Cassano's illness, but ANSA said it was a mini stroke.
Milan says it "will not comment on diagnosis and rumors coming from sources other than the club or the Policlinico."
Cassano was reportedly joking with teammates on the plane, before suddenly developing problems with his vision, speech and movement.
The club's vice president, Adriano Galliani, said earlier he is confident Cassano will make a full recovery.
"I've just spoken to Antonio," Galliani said. "I'm convinced he'll get better, he's already feeling better now. He's in a good mood and he seems calm. Problems of this kind are part of life. Unfortunately, life is made up of so many things and footballers are human beings like the rest of us and can have the problems just like everyone else."
Hopeful
Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri is hopeful Cassano will be back in action after the international break, when the Serie A champion visits Fiorentina.
"We hope to have him back as soon as possible, maybe after the break," Allegri said. "I talked to him yesterday and he seems calm and is recovering well. All the squad is in shock and very upset by what has happened."
It is the second serious ailment to hit Milan this season, with midfielder Gennaro Gattuso battling a nerve problem affecting his left eye.
"What happened was completely unexpected," Galliani said. "Something that's a bit similar to what happened with Gattuso - it had never happened in his life.
"However, Cassano is strong, as is Gattuso. Everything will be fine. But I'm not a doctor and I'm not able to make a prognosis."
