China-based Roberto Donadoni fears for family in Italian coronavirus hotspot

AC Milan legend, now coaching in China, wants to reunite with his wife and six-year-old daughter, who are staying in the mountains outside Milan

Shenzhen FC head coach Roberto Donadoni during the Chinese Super League (CSL) match against Wuhan Zall FC in China's southern Guangdong province. AFP

In this Handout photo made available by the University Hospital in Bonn (UKB) shows medical staff transporting one of two Italian patients who are infected with Covid-19 upon arrival at the University Hospital in Bonn, western Germany from Bergamo, Italy on March 28, 2020. AFP

Roberto Donadoni would rather focus on his coaching job in China but instead the AC Milan legend's thoughts are consumed by the suffering coronavirus has brought to his hometown in northern Italy. AFP

A group of Polish doctors arrive at Bergamo's Airport to reach Brescia's hospitals to help Italian doctors to fight the coronavirus pandemic, in Bergamo, northern Italy. EPA

Roberto Donadoni would rather focus on his coaching job in China but instead the AC Milan legend's thoughts are consumed by the suffering coronavirus has brought to his hometown in northern Italy. AFP

Italian army trucks transport coffins from Bergamo to the crematory of Padova's Cemetery, Italy, EPA

Roberto Donadoni should be trying to mastermind Shenzhen FC's route back to the Chinese Super League but his thoughts are consumed by the suffering that the coronavirus has brought to his hometown in northern Italy.

Nearly 14,000 people have died in Italy since the pandemic struck, more than any other country, and the region where the AC Milan legend is from has been hit hardest.

"I'm from Bergamo, one of the places in a very difficult situation now. My family are from there, it's very, very tough," the 56-year-old former Italy international told AFP by telephone from southern China.

"Every day I spoke with my mum, my brother, my sister. It's possible for me to see my family on Facetime or Skype or WeChat, but it's different," he added.

"When you are close to your family, it's one thing, but when you are 10,000 kilometres away, it's a different question."

Donadoni said he had not lost any immediate family to the coronavirus but that the father of his ex-wife ha succumbed.

In contrast, China, where the outbreak emerged late last year before spreading worldwide, is slowly returning to normal, although the football season has been indefinitely delayed.

Donadoni, a three-time European Cup winner with Milan as well as an integral part of the Italy team that reached the 1994 World Cup final, wants to reunite with his wife, Cristina, and six-year-old daughter, who are staying in the mountains outside Milan.

However, this has been complicated by temporary restrictions introduced by China last weekend that have barred foreigners from entering the country in an effort to stop a wave of imported coronavirus infections.

Donadoni, who coached Italy in 2006-2008, is doing his bit to help. He bought 15,000 masks and is also looking to provide gloves and protective body suits for medical workers in Italy. He also plans to send ventilators.

But he is exasperated that the masks sat for more than 10 days in Italy waiting to reach those who desperately need them.

"This is unbelievable, this is not possible. This is crazy because in this time people probably lost their lives," he said.

"It's very important the [Italian] politicians try to help me and everyone else that wants to help."

- 'Very proud' -

Donadoni took over at Shenzhen in July when they were deep in relegation trouble and he was unable to keep them in the Chinese Super League.

The pressure is on for him to steer the club back into the top division at the first attempt.

His squad are all healthy and in good spirits, Donadoni said, but preparing for a campaign that has no start date is challenging.

"Everyone was expecting the season would start at the end of February, but now we don't know exactly when it will begin. Maybe May, maybe June," he said.

"This is the biggest problem for me and everybody because when you know the exact start date, you put your focus on this day."