Injured Chievo midfielder Federico Mattiello reached out to fans on Monday after undergoing surgery on his broken leg suffered a day earlier.
The 19-year-old Mattiello, who is on loan at Chievo from Juventus, was stretchered off in tears after breaking his tibia and fibula in a clash with Roma's Radja Nainggolan.
Mattiello was injured in the 16th minute at Verona and video images from the game showed the bottom half of the midfielder's right leg bending.
Juventus club doctor Fabrizio Tencone assessed the injury and consulted with Chievo medical staff before the surgery, which was performed just before midnight on Sunday.
Mattiello faces seven months on the sidelines, but the player reassured fans on Twitter on Monday, writing "Thanks to everyone for the messages of support that have given me the strength to look forward."
Ringrazio tutti quanti per i tantissimi messaggi, che mi danno la forza di guardare avanti!!! pic.twitter.com/qkAj0s4qnx
- federico mattiello (@mattiellofede) March 9, 2015
Mattiello's injury took everyone at the Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi aback and, after the teams laboured to a goalless draw, Chievo boss Rolando Maran sent his best wishes to the Italy under-20 player.
"It was a horrendous scene out there on the pitch. The incident has upset us all a great deal," Maran told La Repubblica Sport. "Federico has only been with us for a few weeks but he has done well and we can all see that he's a great lad as well as a good footballer."
