Cassano in the match against Roma before being struck down ill

Milan striker Antonio Cassano’s mystery illness was a stroke according to reports from Italian news agency Ansa.

The club has refused to comment with Adriano Galliani avoiding going into detail.

“I think every patient has the right to privacy, the doctors are working on it and there’s nothing more to say,” was his reply when asked of Cassano’s situation.

An official statement by the club read, “We don’t comment on claims that haven’t come either from the club or the Policlino (hospital) while waiting for further tests and exams which will be able to establish an effective diagnosis.”

To be specific, apparently it was a ischaemic stroke which happens when blood supply to part of the brain is decreased leading to dysfunction of the brain tissue in that area.

I am no doctor, not in the least bit, the mere sight of blood is enough to make me queasy, but this does seem to fit together with the symptoms that Cassano exhibited, dizziness, impairment of speech and loss of movement.

The player remains in hospital where he has been transferred to the neurological department to undergo tests on his heart and brain.

Comments from Gallani  are encouraging as he assured everyone that Cassano, like Gattuso, will be just fine.

“I spoke to him today and he seemed in good form. There was of course a bit of fear because the whole thing was so unexpected. It has nothing to do with football, like what has happened to Gattuso. He’ll definitely be back and the same goes for Rino. It’ll be fine,” Galliani said.

Allegri had some words of his own.

“The news seems to be comforting which is good. He’s in the team’s thoughts. It’s always a shame when these things happen. He’s only 29 so it’s normal that there’s some apprehension.

“He’s doing very well this year. He played a great twenty minutes in Rome like the champions that he is. He was decisive. It’s important that he gets back but more important that we rule out anything dangerous,” Allegri said.

What a week or two for the club. Two mysterious illnesses have robbed us of two important and particularly loved players.

While we have accepted Gattuso’s long term absence by now, we can only hope that Cassano will not be ruled out for such a lengthy time.

But, I am sure football is the last thing Cassano is worrying about right now and this is understandable. Again, hoping he recovers quickly.

Stumbled across this video footage of Cassano in the Roma match; it is a beautiful piece of skill, but the shot, well, let’s just say it did not hit the target.