Former striker Antonio Floro Flores has revealed how Inter defender grew to become a task mannequin for the entire staff after his most cancers prognosis, whereas the 2 performed collectively at Sassuolo.
Flores and Acerbi got here to blows after a match
Talking in an interview with the podcast DoppioPasso, , Flores recalled a heated incident during which he almost fought the centre-back: “Francesco is a unprecedented man, an actual position mannequin for all times. However throughout that interval, he was swearing each minute and insulting everybody. I used to be going via a troublesome private time and I used to be offended. Throughout that match, the coach benched me and, at one level, Acerbi took the ball to take the free-kick. I advised him ‘Go play as a defender’. He began insulting me and I replied ‘see you within the locker room.’”
MUNICH, GERMANY – MAY 31: Francesco Acerbi of FC Internazionale seems to be dejected as he walks previous the UEFA Champions League trophy after defeat to Paris Saint-Germain through the UEFA Champions League Last 2025 between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Internazionale Milano at Munich Soccer Area on Could 31, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photograph by Carl Recine/Getty Pictures)
After the sport, the 2 got here to blows as soon as once more: “My imaginative and prescient went blurry – I needed to kill him! I had my boots in my hand, I may’ve hit him. I advised him: ‘From Tuesday onwards, don’t present your face.’”
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Eusebio Di Francesco, who was head coach of Sassuolo on the time, intervened alongside different key members of the dressing room to forestall the battle escalating, with the squad gathered for a gathering to clear the air.
MILAN, ITALY – MAY 19: Francesco Acerbi of FC Inter kisses the Serie A TIM Scudetto title trophy at full-time following the staff’s draw within the Serie A TIM match between FC Internazionale and SS Lazio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on Could 19, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photograph by Marco Luzzani/Getty Pictures)
Flores remembers how most cancers remedy modified Acerbi
In 2013, Acerbi signed for Sassuolo in a €1.8 million deal for half of his taking part in rights. Throughout pre-season, blood exams revealed a testicular tumour which the defender underwent surgical procedure to have eliminated. He shortly returned to coaching however in December it was revealed his most cancers had returned. Acerbi undertook three months of chemotherapy shortly after, during which he reportedly continued to coach with the facet – regardless of not returning to play for Sassuolo till the next season.
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Talking on Acerbi’s sickness, Flores revealed that “when Acerbi discovered he was sick he gave us all a helpful life lesson. He’d undergo chemotherapy after which run out on the pitch in coaching. It was inhuman. After that, he grew to become a special man and was an instance to all of us.”