Montolivo's Mixed Feelings On Olympic Call Up

Fiorentina playmaker Riccardo Montolivo is honored to have been called up for the Olympics, but can't deny his disappointment about being unable to participate to the Champions League preliminary round.

Jul 3, 2008 4:32:37 PM

Riccardo Montolivo, Italy (Foto Grazia Neri)

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Getting called up for the Olympics is the dream of any athlete, but sometimes destiny can reserve some unexpected coincidences that leave a sour taste in the mouth. That is the case of Fiorentina playmaker Riccardo Montolivo, a symbol of the Italian Under 22 side, who today received his official call-up to the Beijing Olympics.

Of course the chance to take part in the Olympics is always an honor, but in Montolivo's case it would prevent him from participating to the Champions League preliminary round with his club.

"The Olympics are the dream of every athlete," he said to Fiorentina's official website, "but it's normal I'm a bit disappointed about the simultaneity of the events. I'm very unhappy about having to leave Fiorentina ahead of a match as important as the Champions League preliminary.

"However, the Olympics are a unique chance," he concluded.

Montolivo had another bitter pill to swallow a month and a half ago, when former Italy coach Roberto Donadoni called up him to his preliminary squad for Euro 2008, only to axe him a few days later.

Danilo Pochini