Diego Laxalt: Thanks for my recovery to Dynamo medical staff

The 28-year-old Uruguayan has not played since September 12 last year due to his recovery from injury. In Turkey, Laxalt took part in several friendlies at once. His long-awaited return to the pitch was held in the game against Enisey Krasnoyarsk (2:0, 45 minutes played), then he came on as a substitute in the match against Ružomberok (1:2, 30 minutes played). At last, Diego started the encounter against Partizan Belgrade (2:1) for the first time after a forced break and spent an hour on the pitch.

On the eve of the next Turkish training camp, Laxalt shared his emotions with the club’s press service.

— Congratulations on your comeback from injury! What did you feel when you came to the pitch again?

— Thank you! I really missed the moment when I started training on the pitch with my teammates. Even though I met them in the dressing room every day, I continued to work individually, and it was not easy. It's all over now. I am very glad to be back in the team, start preparing for the second part of the season and gradually get in my shape.

— You missed 4 months. Tell us how your recovery passed.

— You noticed correctly – I missed exactly 4 months. I recovered just in time when the first part of the season came to an end. Every day I thought about how I would return to the team, to the rhythm of official matches. Thanks to the Dynamo medical staff. They accompanied me and worked with me throughout the entire recovery period. Thanks to their work, I went on vacation, knowing that I was absolutely healthy and ready for loads at the same level as the others.

— Is there anything that is bothering you now? What can you say about your physical shape?

— I am completely devoted to my work and I am preparing for the season in the same way as I have always done throughout my career. No differences! I additionally do preventive exercises.

— Are you set to spend 90 minutes on the pitch?

— I am at the same stage of the physical shape as my teammates. I am gradually getting in shape according to the training plan drawn up by our coaching staff. I will be ready to spend 90 minutes at the same time as the rest of the team.

— Dynamo played great during the first part of the season. What are your goals for the spring?

— You can see the results of our work in the table. But if we want to improve our achievements or not give up positions, then we need to play even better. Practice shows that the second part of the season is always more unpredictable than the first. We keep moving in the chosen direction. Step by step.