In an interview with Sportweek, Fagioli discussed his difficult experience during a suspension for illegal betting and thanked Juventus and Allegri for their support during that period.
Fagioli stated, "It was strange because I knew six months earlier that I would be suspended, but I continued to play. I am very grateful to Juventus and Allegri; they knew about it and always stood by me. Before every match, the coach would ask me, 'How do you feel?' and I always replied, 'Yes, I want to play.'"
"Of the seven months I was forced to be suspended, the first month was truly the hardest because I wasn't used to being away from the pitch. For the next six months, I was doing well, at least initially. Players are always stuck in a routine of training, playing, and training. I was able to clear my mind temporarily and was happy to sit and watch my teammates play. Except for the days before a match, I could usually train with the team; closer to the game, I would run by myself or go to the gym. Of course, it was a tough period, but I also found some positives in it."
When asked about his last thoughts before sleeping then and now, Fagioli said, "Back then, my last thought was to get back on the pitch as soon as possible. Before the suspension, I hoped the punishment would be as lenient as possible; after the suspension, I prayed to return quickly. Now, my last thought at night is about what will happen tomorrow, where I made mistakes the past day, and where I can still improve."
Fagioli also admitted that he still has a lot of growing to do, especially as a person. He said, "In my mind, I'm still a kid. I love to play, and I love being with my family, girlfriend, and friends. I don't like boredom or being alone. But I've also realized that I need to be more responsible for myself and others. It's the same on the field: whether it's training or a match, I want to be a reliable support for the coach, the club, and my teammates, and the same off the field."
AF's PC site is now live! Browse full news, comments, match details and stats on your computer. Visit: www.allfootballapp.com