Cataldi gets emotional as he is ‘sure’ Bove will make Fiorentina return

Fiorentina midfielder Danilo Cataldi was moved when he spoke after his side’s first game since Edoardo Bove’s collapse against Inter, but claimed he’s sure that the 22-year-old will make his return on the pitch with the Viola.

The former Lazio player took part in a press conference in the aftermath of Fiorentina’s Coppa Italia clash against Empoli, which saw the latter emerge winners on penalties to kick out Raffaele Palladino’s side of the competition.

The Viola returned to the pitch just three days after the incident that shook Italian football, as Bove himself was said to have convinced his teammates not to postpone the game and Cataldi got emotional when broaching the topic, but felt comforted by the fact that ‘he’s doing well’.

Cataldi: ‘Golden boy’ Bove will ‘return to wear Fiorentina shirt’

“What I want to say is that he’s doing well, and we’re happy, and I’m sure he’ll return to wear the Fiorentina shirt,” the Fiorentina midfielder told reporters at a post-match press conference.

“I said it before, we’ve formed a bond because I think he’s a guy with important values, he’s a golden boy.

“I’ll just say this: he’s doing well, and I’m sure we’ll embrace him again soon.”

Bove’s health condition has been improving since the day following his collapse, although he was still in intensive care on Wednesday to undergo further exams and watched his side’s Coppa Italia tie from the hospital, as his teammates paid tribute to him by unveiling two banners before the game.