[인터풋볼] Reporter Park Ji-won = Director Antonio Conte expressed his joy in the return of Christian Eriksen.
Eriksen was saddened by the football world when he collapsed from an acute heart attack at Euro 2020 last year. His condition was serious enough that he was expected to retire, and after a thorough examination with a cardiologist, he was even put on an ICD (implantable cardiac defibrillator).
I had no choice but to part with Inter Milan. This is because, according to Italian Serie A rules, you cannot play on the ground while wearing an ICD. As a result, he began rehabilitation at the Odense BK training ground in Denmark and set out to find a new team.
Then, in January of this year, Eriksen returned to the English Premier League (EPL). He teamed up with coach Thomas Frank, who had a relationship with the Danish under-17 national team. Eriksen signed a six-month contract with Brentford through the season, with an option for a one-year extension.
Eriksen slowly raised his form. He learned a sense of action while playing friendly matches against South End United and Rangers. Eventually, he played his thrilling professional comeback game against Newcastle United in the 27th round of the EPL. It has been 259 days since the incident occurred.
Since then, Eriksen has been steadily promoting his appearances. In round 28 against Norwich City and round 29 against Burnley, he played a full-time starter. Especially in the match against Burnley, he even recorded an assist with a sharp cross.
Here, he vomited a call to the Danish national team. The Danish Football Association released the roster ahead of their A match against the Netherlands and Serbia, and Eriksen’s name was included.
Coach Conte, who had coached Eriksen at Inter Milan, was very moved by this. “I am very happy to see Eriksen on the pitch again,” he said in a press conference ahead of the match against Brighton. He plays full-time and is fully engaged with the team, playing in a row. He is very special to me.”
He continued, “Ericsen is a really nice person. He and his family now have to live in a normal environment. That’s really important. He is delighted,” he added.