Fiorentina midfielder Edoardo Bove is conscious and responsive after spending the night in hospital having collapsed during Sunday’s Serie A game against Inter Milan.
Bove, 22, was taken to the Careggi Hospital in Florence and placed in an induced coma.
The Rome-born player was awakened and extubated on Monday morning. In a statement, Fiorentina said: “He is currently awake, alert and oriented. He spoke with the family, the Viola management, the coach and his teammates who rushed to see him as soon as they received the good news.
“In the next few days, further investigations will be carried out to establish the causes that led to the critical situation that occurred yesterday.”
The incident happened in the 16th minute of the match, with play stopped following a VAR check. The game was abandoned shortly after.
Fiorentina goalkeeper David de Gea was one of several teammates that went to see Bove in hospital. De Gea, who joined the Viola in August, told reporters of Bove’s condition: “He’s better.”
Italian Olympic Committee president Giovanni Malago was also hopeful of positive news. “I know him, his family and the agent very well,” Malago said. “The news between last night and today fills our hearts with optimism.”
Fiorentina said in a statement that club president Rocco Commisso, his wife Catherine and his family, who are in the United States, are in constant communication with the club to support Edoardo and his family.
Fiorentina fans placed a banner outside the hospital where Bove is recovering that read: “Strength Edoardo, Florence is with you.”
Earlier on Monday, Fiorentina issued a statement thanking everyone for the outpouring of support.
“Fiorentina and the Commisso family thank our fans, the clubs, the fans and the entire world of football and sport for the closeness and sensitivity shown towards Edoardo Bove and his loved ones,” the club posted on X.
Fiorentina are set to be back in action on Wednesday when they host Empoli in the Coppa Italia.