“When will you see me on the pitch again? Let’s say in December.” Kenan Yıldız said it from the stage of the Bulgarelli Number 8 award, the international prize given by the Giacomo Bulgarelli Association of Bologna to the best midfielder of the previous season.
The Ceremony
Yıldız received the award on the morning of Monday 9 November at the Cappella Farnese in Palazzo d’Accursio in Bologna, where Juventus’s Martina Rosucci was also honoured. The prize was presented by Maurizio Fabbri, president of the Emilia-Romagna Legislative Assembly. Others recognised at the Bulgarelli included Cesc Fàbregas as best men’s coach, Gianluca Grassadonia as best women’s coach, and Daniele Doveri as best referee.
Impatient to Return
The Juventus number 10 said he is eager to get back on the pitch after a long layoff caused by the foot fracture he suffered in the very first league match, away at Frosinone. A spectator of his teammates’ disappointing start to the season, the forward born in 2005 said: “I feel good, and I hope to return to play soon. I miss Juventus a lot, I miss the feeling of playing football, and I hope it happens soon.”
On the award: “It means a lot to me. I try to give my maximum in football, to play with enthusiasm.”
Tuttosport reports that his return could coincide with the home match against Monza on 14 December. That is consistent with the “December” target given throughout this period, and with Tuttosport’s earlier piece on “light at the end of the tunnel.”
Capello: “Italy’s Yamal”
On the weight of the Turkish talent in Spalletti’s squad, which is coming off the Florence draw where Bremer’s third goal of the season, now making him the club’s top scorer, avoided defeat, the award’s president, Fabio Capello, spoke warmly.
“He shows things you do not expect. It is lovely to see football that is not flat. We have taken fantasy away from players, but he has it. Let us give fantasy back to young players. He will make us have fun. He is Italy’s Yamal.”
