Caldara praises Maldini and insists 'I will repay AC Milan's trust'
"I'm getting better. I've started doing work on the pitch: running, stability exercises. In a few days I'll have a medical checkup and then a short vacation in Mykonos waiting to come back to Milanello," he said.
"The first two weeks after the operation were difficult on a mental as well as physical level. But the worst is over: another two or three months and I start from where I left off. I have a preliminary date for my return but I will keep it to myself.
"The injuries helped me to understand myself, my little character flaws. I thought a lot. I didn't play but I grew as a man and I understood what I was missing on a physical level. The second injury, the knee injury, was a fatality but the first one was partly due to the lack of elasticity and I worked hard to solve this problem.
"I've missed Milan and the Italian national team. We are at the beginning of a new cycle, Italy has had an important change and is achieving good results. Mancini calls together those who deserve it and I want to show that I can stay in the group.
"The move from Juventus? It was hectic. I found out everything a couple of days before the conclusion. I was still trying to get into the Juventus team and suddenly everything changed.
"The Milan fans welcomed me very well and I am very sorry not to have repaid their trust yet. I am very shy but immediately found myself well here. I apologize for this unfortunate year. As a child, I dreamed of taking the steps to the San Siro and seeing a full San Siro but it happened only once for me last season.
"Maldini? He always talked to me a lot and I felt his trust every time. Having someone like him, who made history at Milan, is a great stimulus. He called me even after my injury, he is always present," Caldara concluded.