Fiorentina midfielder Edoardo Bove has left intensive care and is continuing his recovery after collapsing on the pitch last Sunday, the Serie A club's general manager has confirmed.
Bove, 22, was rushed to hospital after falling to the ground untouched in the 16th minute of Fiorentina's match against Inter Milan, which was subsequently abandoned.
Reports in Italy claim that a defibrillator was used to restart Bove's heart before the footballer was taken to the intensive care unit at Careggi Hospital in Florence.
Fiorentina's general manager Alessandro Ferrari has now confirmed that Bove's recovery is going well and that the midfielder has been moved from intensive care to another department of the hospital.
'Edoardo is doing well, he is recovering and we are happy. We must be patient and respect him. He changed [hospital] So things are getting better,” Ferrari told Italian broadcaster Mediaset on Wednesday ahead of the cup match between Fiorentina and Empoli.
Ahead of the Coppa Italia match, which saw Empoli triumph 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw between the two sides, Fiorentina staff, players and fans showed their support for Bove in heartfelt scenes at the Artemio Franchi Stadium.
The spectators produced a tifo display in honor of Bove, colorfully displaying a banner with the number 4 – his equipment number – while others held up scarves to show their support.
Fiorentina players held up banners on the pitch before kick-off that read: 'Now we are waiting for you.'
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Bove regained consciousness after arriving at Careggi Hospital in Florence and doctors assured him that his 'life was not in danger'.
One of the first to arrive at the hospital was Captain Cristiano Biraghi. He was accompanied by Martinez Quarta. Danilo Cataldi, one of the first players to help Bove when he collapsed on the pitch, also visited the hospital.
Rolando Mandragora, Pietro Terracciano, Luca Ranieri and Dodo were also seen in hospital, while several other players headed to the medical facility to show their support.
Bove is on loan from Roma at Fiorentina and has made fourteen appearances so far. He scored his first goal for his current club against his parents in October.
Bove, an Italy international, has played for his country in every age group, up to and including the Under-21s, but is yet to be called up to the senior set-up.
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