Sheva shakes off stitches
Friday 2 April, 2004

Andriy Shevchenko has revealed the extent of the facial injuries he suffered in a friendly match, but assures he is eager for a comeback.

“It really was a massive blow,” explained the Milan striker. “I was fortunate in a way, because if the point of impact had been just a few centimetres higher it would have been much worse.”

Sheva was stretchered off with a suspected fractured nose after the Ukraine lost 1-0 in Macedonia on Wednesday evening.

X-Rays subsequently excluded broken bones, but he required two stitches in his top lip, chipped a tooth and loosened two others.

“Thankfully I am quite strong physically,” he told Milan Channel, “otherwise I could have had some very serious problems getting back on to the field.”

“My teeth still hurt a bit, but after undergoing surgery the pain definitely subsided. It’s better than on the first day, I’ll say that much.”

The Serie A top scorer is nonetheless eager to get back on to the field, starting with this Sunday’s trip to Modena.

“I am not back in full training yet because I can tell just by running that things aren’t quite right. I don’t think I can play against Modena, but I want a final fitness test to be sure.”

It is almost certain that Shevchenko, Marcos Cafu and Kaka’ will be rested for the Stadio Braglia trip following their midweek international games.

“I can tell you for certain,” concluded the former Dynamo Kiev man, “that I will be able to play against Deportivo La Coruna with the aid of a protective mask.”

@ACMilan.com

SHEVCHENKO: 'It was a really bad knock'
02 April 2004 18:06

MILANELLO - Andriy Shevchenko, speaking at Milanello, in an interview with the Milan Channel talked about his facial injury picked up playing for Ukraine against Macedonia in midweek. The striker said: 'It was a really bad knock, I was lucky because a bit harder and it would have been a lot worse. Luckly, I am physically strong, I could have had a more serious problem. Instead, I ended up with a problem with my teeth but after a small operation I feel better, the pain is going away.'
Andriy, however, is not very optimistic about returning in time to play Modena but has not given up hope completely and said: 'I have trained alone because I don't feel completely recovered. I don't think I will be able to play against Modena, but we'll see tomorrow. I am certain I will be ready for Deportivo, even if I need a protective mask.'
Sheva is in no hurry to get back and maybe complicate his injury and concluded: 'There are still plenty of games to go, all important, all decisive.'

PRESS SURVEY - SHEVCHENKO: 'I feel good, it could have gone worse'
02 April 2004 10:00

MILAN - After a dental visit yesterday, Andriy Shevchenko reassured all the Rossonero fans about his conditions, speaking with Gazzetta dello Sport. He said: 'I got a bad knock against Macedonia. However, I was told that I was lucky because I am strong, it could have even gone worse. The first outcome has revealed some roots broken but my tooth are ok and especially my nose, which I have already operated twice, was not damaged.'