Matias Vecino has opened up on ‘a very tough season’ at Inter after missing almost a year of action through injury.
Inter were without the midfielder until February after Vecino twice underwent surgery on his knee, which kept him on the sidelines for around seven months.
The Uruguay international eventually made nine appearances for the Nerazzurri during their Serie A title run-in, scoring once and providing a single assist.
“This year was very difficult for me,” Vecino revealed while appearing on the Colpo di Testa podcast with Federico Mari.
“I started having problems before the first COVID-19 lockdown.
“Then we restarted in May and I felt even worse; I had a bone edema (swelling) which was difficult to manage.
“I tried to do conservative treatment, I went to Barcelona several times, but then when I started forcing it in training I felt the knee wasn’t right again, so we had to do something.
“Doctors do everything to avoid operations (but they had to operate me), so they stitched the knee up with a suture.
“I started my rehabilitation, but then two months into my recovery as I was making progress, the knee started swelling up.
“I had no pain or anything, but the fact it was swollen told me something was wrong.
“I went to Barcelona and they told me that I needed more surgery, because they were worried there was an infection.
“Then I had a problem with the stitches they gave me.
“I had to start from scratch again, so I said: ‘I’m staying here until I can train’.
“I stayed in Barcelona from September to December.
“Psychologically it was difficult, especially the relapse.”
Inter have ended their 10-year wait for a major trophy by securing the Serie A title in emphatic style, and Vecino admits the feeling is very sweet.
“You’re happy more than anything,” he explained.
“It’s a nice thing to achieve something as important as this after such a long time.
“It’s a shame we did it in the year where there were no fans in the stadium, you don’t manage to understand the dimension of what you’ve done.
“But we’re enjoying the moment.”
Vecino is best known in an Inter shirt for the goals he scored in 2018 against Lazio and Tottenham, as the Nerazzurri returned to the UEFA Champions League after a six-year absence.
Inter fans have very fond memories of celebrating the midfielder’s headers, but Vecino revealed it took him a while to understand just how significant those goals were.
“You don’t feel anything in that moment, you’re engrossed in the game and concentrated on what you have to do,” he explained.
“I got more emotional when I saw the goal back, heard the commentary and saw videos from fans.
“When you’re inside the game you can’t really understand what’s happening.
“With the empty stadium it’s very different, there’s a much more relaxed atmosphere and it’s practically like a training session.
“You don’t have that pressure which the full stadium gives you, when you’re winning and you’re performing badly.
“But it’s difficult to play without fans: I’ve been on the sidelines a long time and I’ve watched some games, it’s a different atmosphere.”
Vecino has a leadership role within Inter’s dressing room and discussed his relationship with fellow countryman Martin Satriano, who is impressing with the Nerazzurri’s Primavera.
“I’m someone who stays close to the youngsters, they watch you with respect and a bit of fear,” he admitted.
“I see myself in them: we have Satriano here at Inter now, you can see he wants to take on the world.
“He’s on a different journey to the one I made, but it’s not easy to come into a new country when you’re 19.”
Vecino also discussed his new role as a chef at Appiano Gentile, having helped Lautaro Martinez prepare a barbecue during training last week.
“Lautaro is the chef, but I gave him a hand because it’s not easy to serve 50 people,” he added.