Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has revealed that he was struggling to breathe at one point during the Bianconeri’s Europa League quarter-final first leg against Sporting but the results are clear.
Szczesny was taken off in the first half for an injury which initially didn’t seem quite clear. Mattia Perin came on for the Pole and he ended up making a fantastic double save in stoppage time to guarantee a vital 1-0 win for Juve, with Federico Gatti scoring a winner.
Szczesny spoke to Sky Italia (via TMW) after the game and he revealed that he was struggling to breathe and he had an episode of anxiety. But he is fine now and the results are clear.
He stated: “I had a little anxiety, but I did all the checks and everything is fine. I was struggling breathing, it had never happened to me but now I’m much better.”
Szczesny also had high praise for Perin, without whom Juventus would have conceded in the stoppage time and they didn’t have a great game anyway.
The Pole stated: “I saw him very well in training, he came up with a double miracle in the 90th minute and so I congratulate him. He’s a golden boy, he never complains and always works very well. Too bad Pinsoglio didn’t come in, otherwise he too would have worked a miracle.”
Juve’s only chance of playing in the Champions League next season could come from winning the Europa League, especially considering their recent loss to Lazio. So the second leg next week carries a massive amount of importance for Max Allegri’s side.
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Kaustubh Pandey | GIFN
