When the coach of Bologna from Serie A, Sinisha Mikhailovich, convened a special press conference over the weekend during the national team break, it was clear to everyone that there was no easy news.
"I was advised to start treatment that would prevent the disease from spreading again," he confirmed the feelings at the beginning of his remarks, "this time I will not let the disease go in, I will precede it so that it does not break out. "If the first lesson was not enough for this disease, I will give it another lesson."
The disease Mikhailovich is talking about is leukemia, a blood cancer, which he first encountered about two and a half years ago.
So, a few months before the start of the season, the Serbian coach appeared in front of the media and with impressive openness said: "I have leukemia. I never received anything as a gift and I had to fight everything. I will fight this disease too. I will look her straight in the eye, with my head held high -
And just as he said, Mikhailovich fought and won.
He underwent three rounds of chemotherapy in addition to a bone marrow transplant, while at the same time continuing to train the team remotely, even from the hospital bed.
Mikhailovich.
Do not give up, Photo: Reuters
The Serbian journey and his personal story swept Italian football and beyond, when the climax came in August 2019. Just before the season opener against Verona, and after 44 days in which he was hospitalized and lost 15 kilograms, Mikhailovich surprised everyone when he arrived at the stadium, caught Place on the lines and ran the game despite a clear exhaustion from which he suffered.
With a visor cap on his head, and with plasters covering his neck, a reminder of past treatments, the image of the recovering coach moved the whole of Italy.
"Stay strong"
The victory of the 53-year-old coach was added to the line of achievements he has accumulated over the years.
With a left-handed kick from the strongest and most accurate in the world, Mikhalovich began his career winning the 1991 Champions Cup in the Red Star Belgrade uniform, when he was 21, and from there went on to glorious years adorned with Lazio and Inter.
Toughness was his salient characteristic as a player, and even as a coach he was considered a leader, talkative and with an extroverted and blatant presence.
These character traits stood out in the previous struggle with the disease, to which Mikhailovich approached with confidence and determination, and they stand out this time as well.
"I'm calm and know exactly what to do, and I hope it's over soon," he declared at the press conference, adding, "This is life. Sometimes there are ups and downs, sometimes there are potholes that fall into them, but you always have to know how to find a way to climb back."
Bologna fans.
Mikhailovich asked them to support and help, Photo: EPA
Like last time, her support for Mikhailovich is tremendous.
Last night he said that two hours after the press conference, more than 700 text messages were waiting for him on his mobile phone from players, coaches, fans and all the clubs in the league.
"We stand by your side, stay strong," read Milan's Twitter account, with most of the messages including the word "burglar!".
The fact that Bologna have scored six points in the last ten rounds and are in the midst of a crisis has also been pushed aside in favor of a speedy recovery from the fan organizations, and the management also wraps its coach in warmth and love.
According to reports, Bologna will extend Mikhailovich's contract for another season, and like last time, will set all the conditions for him to continue coaching from the hospital.
It is still unclear how long this will take and what the outcome of the current struggle will be, but the Serb is determined to win again.
"I will fight for the players, and I am sure they will fight for me," he said, "and from the fans I ask to support and help, because very soon I will be back with you and the team."
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