Italian soccer player 'awake and alert' after collapse

Fiorentina midfielder Edoardo Bove is awake and alert in hospital after he collapsed during a Serie A match against Inter Milan.

Sunday's game was abandoned after the 22-year-old fell to the ground in the 17th minute. Players formed a shield around him before he was taken away. The referee took his time to talk with both sides and then the game was abandoned.

In an update on the 22-year-old's condition, his club has said: "ACF Fiorentina has announced that Edoardo Bove, following an uneventful night, was awakened and extubated this morning. He is currently awake, alert and oriented.

"He has spoken with his family, club management, the coach and his teammates, who all rushed to go and see him as soon as they heard the good news. Further tests will be carried out in the coming days to establish what led to the critical situation that took place yesterday.

"The doctors at Careggi University Hospital who are treating the player have confirmed that diagnostic tests are ongoing. Fiorentina would like to thank Careggi University Hospital and all of the doctors and staff for the wonderful humanity and professionalism they have shown.

"The club would also like to thank the wider Fiorentina family and the entire world of football who, during this difficult time, have shown their great sympathy and care through their messages and support, which have been of great comfort both to the club and Edoardo and his family."

In Serie A action on Monday night, Claudio Ranieri returned to the Stadio Olimpico as the home coach for his third spell in charge, but his Roma side lost 2-0 to Atalanta.

There were numerous banners in the stands thanking him and Roma wore special shirts in the warm-up with the words "Forza Edo" in support of Bove, who is a product of the Roma youth academy and joined Fiorentina on loan in the off-season.

Marten de Roon netted the opener in the 69th minute — albeit with a huge deflection — and Nicolo Zaniolo, who spent five years at Roma before leaving in 2023, sealed the result in the final minute.

Atalanta cut the gap on league leaders Napoli to one point after their eighth straight league victory, while Roma remain two points above the relegation zone.

Fiorentina's next match is on Wednesday at home in the Italian Cup against Empoli, whose president Fabrizio Corsi said he wouldn't be against postponing the match.

However, La Viola director Alessandro Ferrari said Bove had asked his teammates to play. Most of them visited him on Monday — as well as Sunday evening — and he also had a video call with them later when they were at training.

With AP.