EMPOLI - (ANSA) - Until this morning, Ighli Vannucchi hoped Almeyda had just picked up a bad contusion. He hoped the initial diagnosis of a suspected fracture was wrong, but when he read the newspapers this morning and understood the Argentine had actually suffered a fracture, he was saddened. The Empoli midfielder is saddened, sorry and disheartened. He apologises to the Argentine, but justifies himself by saying that the injury was accidental because there was no nastiness in his challenge.
"On the pitch, I didn't even have time to go and say sorry to my opponent," explained Vannucchi. "The challenge was hard enough but I thought it was a contusion to his leg. I was trying to close him down but he dummied me and so I was late, hitting his leg instead of the ball. I apologise to Almeyda and I'm very sorry. It's the first time I have caused a serious injury to a player. But in these situations bad luck plays a big part and there's little you can do about it. I hope he returns soon."
