Italian Middle Blocker Matteo Piano Undergoes Achilles Surgery

The Italian National Team, when they announced their preliminary 25-player roster last month, were with one notable absence: that of middle blocker Matteo Piano. Just days before that announcement, Paino revealed on his Instagram account that he would have to undergo surgery on his Achilles Tendon.

Piano, who plays professionally for Revivre Milano, was a member of Italy’s silver medal winning team at the 2016 Olympic Games. He led Italy (and ranked 13th overall) in Group 1 of last year’s World League with .47 blocks/set. He also landed 30 of his 58 kill attempts in the tournament.

The 27-year old 6’10” (2.09m) Asti native was able to finish the Italian Serie A season before having the surgery. He recorded 109 points, which ranked 10th among middle blockers, and also had 58 blocks, which ranked 3rd-best in the league (.60/set).

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Nella campagna astigiana c'e un albero rarissimo, il Bialbero. La scorsa settimana ho ricevuto una notizia molto brutta, a cui non ero pronto. Mi hanno detto che mi sarei dovuto operare al tendine d'achille, unica e migliore soluzione per il mio problema. É stata una scossa, forte, una sensazione che purtoppo conosco bene. L'ho detto a poche persone, non avevo voglia di parlarne e soprattutto di ascoltare tutti, perché sapevo che doveva essere una scelta che sarebbe dovuta nascere da dentro. So come si affronta un intervento da sportivo, so cosa implica, conosco la fatica e la rabbia che incontrerò ancora una volta durante la salita del post intervento. Più di tutto questo so che ho sempre avuto una grande grinta. Questa grinta voglio condividere con tutti voi, amici vicini e lontani e non. Non siate tristi,non dispiacetevi, non fatemi delle specie di "condoglianze", sorridete, sorridetemi. Siate empatici, non ascoltate rumori, io vi sorrido e parto per un lungo e bel viaggio staccando tutto. E come dal gelso é nato un bellissimo ciliegio, dalla mia prima cicatrice sulla schiena ne é nata una seconda. Aspettiamo cosa nascerà dal ciliegio, con gli occhi semplici e pieni di stupore attenderó con voi la fioritura. Vi abbraccio forte, più delle altre volte. Teo

A post shared by Matteo Piano (@teuzzo) on Apr 25, 2018 at 7:25am PDT

Translation to English:

In the Asti countryside there is a very rare tree, the Bialbero.

Last week I received very bad news, which I was not ready for. They told me that I would have to work on the Achilles tendon, the only and best solution for my problem.

It was a shock, strong, a feeling that I know well.

I told a few people, I did not want to talk about it and above all to listen to everyone, because I knew it had to be a choice that should have been born from within.

I know how to deal with a sporting intervention, I know what it implies, I know the fatigue and anger that I will meet once again during the post-intervention climb. More than anything I know that I have always had a great determination.

This diagnosis I want to share with all of you, friends who are near and far and not. Do not be sad, do not mind, do not give me some kind of “condolences” look, smile at me. Be empathetic, do not listen to noises, I smile for a long and beautiful journey.

And as from the tree a beautiful cherry was born, from my first scar on the heel a second was born.

Let’s wait for what will come from the cherry tree, with simple eyes full of amazement I will wait with you for the flowering.

I hug you strong, more than other times.

Teo