Fiorentina’s Giuseppe Rossi Nearing Return to Action
Fiorentina striker Giuseppe Rossi is reportedly making a quicker than expected recovery from his latest knee surgery and could return to training within two weeks. The New Jersey-born Rossi, who represents Italy internationally, has been sidelined for seven months following the latest bout with a recurring knee ligament injury that has dogged him throughout much of his career.
Rossi, 28, has yet to make an appearance for Vincenzo Montella’s Fiorentina side this season, but could be in line for a return to action before the season ends in May. The former Villarreal man missed last summer’s World Cup after aggravating his knee and suffered a further setback in preseason, which required additional surgery.
While the club had initially hoped Rossi would be back on the pitch this month, it now looks like Rossi will have to wait until at least April to rejoin his team.
While Rossi will likely miss the Viola’s second leg showdown with Juventus in the Coppa Italia next month, he could rejoin the team in time for a crucial end-of-season run of matches that includes meetings with Napoli and Juve in Serie A and a two-legged tie with Dynamo Kiev in the Europa League.
Fiorentina are undefeated in their last four matches, including a 3-0 win over Roma in the Europa League. Currently Montella’s side sits in sixth place, just one point off from a Europa League berth. With striker Mario Gomez recently sidelined by an ankle injury, the return of Rossi could come as a boost to a side that owes much of its recent success to in-form Chelsea loanee, Mohamed Salah.
Rossi led Serie A in scoring for a time last season and had 16 goals in the league, despite missing several months of the campaign because of his injury. Rossi recently paid a visit to the Italian team’s training camp in Coverciano ahead of the Azzurri’s Euro qualifier with Bulgaria on Saturday. Although he didn’t speak to reporters at the camp, it’s rumored that Rossi might also be in line for a return to action with the national team when he regains fitness, with Italy coach Antonio Conte said to be tracking his progress.
Fiorentina will resume domestic action after the international break, on Saturday April 4, when they welcome Sampdoria to the Stadio Artemio Franchi.