Hat-trick against Verona, as a jolt of pride and anger: Josip Ilicic is back. After a complicated start, slowed down by a bacterial infection, the Slovenian got back on the pitch stronger than ever: he's told about his moment to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"I've suffered a lot, football was the last thing on my mind. I must thank my family, my club, coach and teammates: their support never went missing. I'm surely stronger than I was before, living certain situations make you learn how to deal with things. This is the only positive aspect about the disease I've overcame. I needed time, it wasn't an usual problem and I couldn't move for two months. I didn't start over from 0 but from -10. I'm not 100% fit yet, but I'm fine now. There are some hits you have to take, and playing with continuity will get me back to the top. Set-pieces? I've been training for these, I've been missing them".
A lot of people have seen the Europa League elimination as the beginning of the complex moment for the Nerazzurri. Ilicic wants to look forward: "Honestly? I was hospitalized and I didn't want to hear anything about football. I want to help now. We've won in Verona thanks to our team spirit, not because of my goals. The focus is now set on Parma: if we'd fail, the Verona points would lose their importance. We had a good game, the win was only a matter of time. There are then some opponents in Serie A, this year is the toughest since I've arrived in Italy".
"I feel good everywhere on the pitch, with all of my teammates. You only need to play me! Gomez? He's a great player, everything's easier with him. Against us, the teams get more defensive, there are less spaces than there were before. It's normal to have a more difficult time, but our players will do it. Sometimes you don't need a lot, I didn't expect to come back and score a hat-trick. I want to get back in Europe though: I miss those nights and the big stadiums".
About the leaving rumors: "In today's football, a lot of people talk about China, but I could go there where it'd pleases me. They've linked me to every important team in the world but I'm at Atalanta and am very well here".
