The second follow-up visit for Arek Milik’s knee yielded optimism. Napoli’s official website communicated the following: “Today Milik underwent medical exams. He was visited by Doctor Mariani at Villa Stuart in Rome, alongside the Head of medical staff Dr. De Nicola. The checkup inerlined a positive response, the Azzurri striker is recovering according to the rehabilitation programme. Arek will undergo, following the scheduling, a new checkup in about three weeks.”
At the end of his visit, with the player already headed back to Naples, Prof. De Nicola along with Prof. Mariani spoke to reporters about Milik’s scheduled recovery: “From my perspective Milik is doing well. The plan that we devised two months ago has been followed without delay. The player runs, plays with the ball, and dribbles. In a month, in the next followup, we will give him the green light for his return to competitive action. Seeing him play against Real Madrid on the 15th of February? I am optimistic that he will play, but uncertain about whether he will be able to for the full 90 minutes. These are considerations which must be made by the coach, trainer, and Napoli’s doctor. In a month, I will give the ‘okay’ for his return to competitive action. Then, it will be another month until the match against Real Madrid. I have always worked well with Napoli. I have found Milik to be optimistic and content just as he was the first day. He is going to Poland for his Christmas vacation, and we wished each other well.”
