Spinazzola, there is confidence: tendon under examination, Roma are waiting for a yes

There is optimism, albeit moderate. In the sense that yesterday’s tests seem to have gone well, but to have the final verdict we will have to wait until today. Leonardo Spinazzola, in fact, will return to Rome only today, after three days spent in Finland, in Turku. Here in recent days he was visited by the Finnish surgeon Lasse Lempainen, the orthopedist who operated on his left Achilles tendon last July 5 (almost 9 months ago). The Roma full-back got injured during the last European championship, in the Italy-Belgium match and from there it was a relentless pursuit. Until the visit these days, in fact, which should be the final coupon before the longed-for return to the field.

Visit

–

Spinazzola landed in Turku on Wednesday, accompanied by Dr. Vincenzo Costa, one of the Roma doctors. Initially their return was scheduled for yesterday, but then a supplement of physical tests has moved the return to the base today. Spinazzola should conclude the test package today at lunch, and then take the flight to the capital. The wait is clearly for the white smoke, after in recent months it had been hoped on several occasions to have it available again sooner. The most optimistic of all had been Leonardo himself, when he launched into a reckless “I’ll be back in November”. Then also Mou had set a deadline which subsequently expired. “Spinazzola will be the first purchase on our market in January”. Yes, January, when Leo too hoped that the ordeal was now behind us. It did not go that way, so much so that his last post on recovery is dated January 25th. Then nothing more, a symptom of a disappointment behind which – according to some – there was an unexpected hitch.

The Finnish tests

–

That’s why this visit is highly anticipated, because it can tell us if and when the Roma full-back will really return. And above all how. In this two days in Finland Spinazzola carried out a series of isokinetic tests to evaluate the biomechanical resistance of the tendon and its relative elasticity. Specific machines were also used to evaluate the power of the twins, muscles inevitably connected to the tightness of the tendon. And then plyometric exercises (those made with jumps and leaps) which have the task of verifying the sensitivity of the tendon, as well as allowing to understand how much the player “recruits” at a muscle level (and therefore how many muscle fibers are involved simultaneously). On the basis of all these tests, then, it will be understood if Spinazzola is really ready to return or if we need to delay a little longer.

The return to the base

–

Today, therefore, Leo will be back in Rome in the evening. Hopefully with an infinite smile, one of his, one of those who only glimpse positive things. Roma are also waiting, obviously, and the results of the tests carried out in Finland will then be evaluated by the Giallorossi medical staff, in collaboration with the club’s performance team. If everything goes as we hope, Leo could return to Mourinho as early as the beginning of next week, only to hopefully be able to set foot on the pitch in the middle of the month, perhaps even for the return match with Bodo. In recent days Mourinho had thought of bringing him on the bench also in Genoa, against Sampdoria, to try to give him an adrenaline jolt, make him immediately return to breathe the air of real matches. But, of course, it will all depend on the Finnish test results. Even if this “lengthening” of one day left someone with little thoughts. If they are then clouds destined to go away we will find out today, when he returns.