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Doctor Stefano Suraci, this is your first Viareggio Cup with Juventus
but obviously not your first tournament here as a doctor.
How do you approach such a demanding competition from a medical point of view?
When we’re playing every two days,
obviously our main objective is for the lads to recover as best they can between games.
The recuperation is conducted through physical therapy and massages etc
and above all, from my point of view, through diet and supplements.
You have been speaking in the plural because you’re not working on your own, you have two others collaborating with you.
Yes, in fact, they are the main ones tasked with player recuperation
and ensuring the lads are ready every day
It’s a very important job
which involves manual and physical treatments
to sort out little problems that crop up
such as fatigue from one game to a next, minor bruises etc…
Given their importance in this tournament, would you be able to tell us their names?
Of course, my two colleagues are called Fabiano Bonati and Diego Pordoni.
You rightly spoke about a crucial aspect, the players’ diets
How do you handle a tournament like this?
There’s a match every two days
which is always an important aspect, but even more so during this period
Yes, of course, with matches being so close together, there is a risk of burn out for the players
therefore it’s vital they replenish their energy and recover by resting between games.
We do this by implementing a correct diet,
especially post match where the guys have to start taking on board provisions used up during the game
This is done through vitamin supplements and by eating pasta or rice,
as well as protein in both liquid and solid form.
Last question. We’re nearing the final stages of the tournament, how is the team shaping up from a medical point of view?
Well, luckily we don’t have anyone with particular problems
part from one boy who we have taken here in the hope of restoring him to full fitness.
As far as the rest is concerned, small things aside, the team is doing well.