Sassuolo have been enjoying an upturn in fortunes of late. After a dismal run had taken them into the relegation places at the beginning of the campaign, inexperienced coach Cristian Bucchi was replaced by 53-year-old Giuseppe Iachini, a man who has masterminded two wins from three games since taking over the reigns.
One of those victories was an impressive 1-0 away win to high-flying Sampdoria, veteran striker Alessandro Matri scoring the decisive 90th minute penalty. There was plenty to celebrate in beating a side that had previously won six out of their last seven home matches, but the match was particularly special in particular for one of the Neroverdi players.
Francesco Acerbi was celebrating his 100th match in a row for the side, a fantastic achievement given that he had played 90 minutes in every single one of those 100 encounters. For any player this would be something to celebrate, but the fact the 29-year-old had done so after twice beating testicular cancer took his achievement to another level entirely.
It was during a pre-season medical when Acerbi arrived at Sassuolo in summer 2013 that doctors discovered the testicular tumour, and the defender immediately underwent surgery to remove it. He quickly resumed training with his team-mates and had taken part in 13 league matches in the 2013/14 season when he failed a doping test in December.
Traces of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) had been found in his system, but he had not taken any banned substances. The hormone was being produced by another cancerous tumour that had appeared and this time he had to undergo a course of chemotherapy but – committed to the cause – he carried on training with the team as and when he could.
In March 2014, the player he announced he had the all-clear from cancer and that he was ready to begin his comeback to the first team squad. He would do so just six months later, in a 0-0 draw with Sampdoria on September 21st 2014. Such was the quality of his return, the centre-back even received a debut Italy call from Antonio Conte later that year in a friendly with Albania, an incredible achievement considering the journey he had been on.
Such a difficult experience usually has life-changing results. Acerbi made six appearances for Milan back in 2012/13 but – instead of lamenting what could have been – his positive attitude to what happened to him is an inspiration to many.
“You need to lead a healthy life and have goals, always aim for the maximum,” Acerbi revealed to Sky Italia after his achievement of 100 consecutive 90 minute appearances. “Before the disease I sort of felt invincible, I was a bit superficial in the things I did. When I arrived at Milan I thought I had already made it to the top. It’s the details that make the difference though.”
Indeed, this attitude led to him winning the Pallone d’Argento (Silver ball) in 2015, an award handed out by the Italian Sporting Press Union that recognises “fairness, sporting correctness, good morality and generosity towards the weak." On receiving the award, he revealed that he wanted to be an inspiration and source of help for others battling the disease, and his attitude in recovery has certainly set an example of what can be achieved.
“When I watch Milan, I think I’d still be there if I had the head I have now. All I needed was a normal head, Acerbi admitted to La Gazzetta dello Sport recently. “I felt guilty when I underwent chemotherapy: I told myself I was stupid to waste my career, but then I realised I was lucky and that experience has made me grow. Now I know that I won’t mess up anymore because I only look for perfection.”
You could say that multiple Ballon d’Or winners Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are the ones who are closest to perfection in the modern game. But in his attitude, workrate and professionalism after battling back from cancer, it has to be said that Francesco Acerbi is as “perfect” as you can get.
