Torino keeper back after hitting “rock bottom”

Date: 29th September 2014 at 9:30am
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Torino goalkeeperJean-Francois Gillet has described his comeback from suspension as the most difficult journey he has ever gone through.

Originally handed a 43-month ban in July 2013 for his role in two suspected Bari matches from 2008 and 2009, Gillet’s suspension was reduced to 13 months and he played his first Serie A match in over a year on Sunday afternoon in Torino’s 1-1 draw against Fiorentina.

“When you hit rock bottom coming back is difficult, but I always believed in myself and calmly waited for my opportunity,” Gillet said in an interview with Sky Sport Italia.

Gillet starred for Bari for 11 years before moving onto Bologna and then Torino in 2013 and has excelled in Italy due to his tremendous reflexes, technical skills and his classic sweeper-keeper style in an Italian career which began with Monza in 1999.

“I gave it everything I had in order to be ready after being out for over a year and the applause of the crowd today showed the greatness of football.”

Torino coach Giampiero Ventura gave Gillet the start in a Europa League match last Thursday where he excelled earning Toro a point in a scoreless draw in their opening Group B match.

“I was [Torino’s] starting keeper and it was difficult being out for a year as I had to watch my squad qualify for the Europa League. Everyone can say or think whatever they want, but only I know what happened,” Gillet claimed.

 

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