On Sunday, at the end of the match, his Cus Genova teammates reached him and held him in a team hug that seemed to never end. Pietro smiled. Rugby, friendship: everything he always wanted from life. In the afternoon he left the clinic with the impatience of passion, the oxygen tank attached. Accompanied by his father he reached the Carlini-Bollesan stadium: it was the day of the derby with Pro Recco and – sitting on the uncomfortable steps – it was exactly like being on the pitch, fighting with the others. They won, they all celebrated together: can you be happier than that? Pietro Imperiale left 4 days later, joy in his eyes. He was 28 years old. A giant of almost 2 meters with 130 kilos of muscles, especially the heart. A champion. Second line of the red and white club, beloved coach of the youth sector: the children adored him, as one adores a big boy who tries to act grumpy but is unable to hide that good light in his gaze.
In September he started the new competitive season, only there was a strange cough that tormented him: cold, allergy? In the end he decided to have a check-up, which – impossible! -he had evidence of pulmonary metastases. The father’s name is Andrea: director of medical radiology in ASL 3, specialist in mammograms, a man who has saved countless lives. A subsequent check made everyone breathe a sigh of relief: seminoma, the diagnosis said. A malignant tumor that generally affects the testicles, the same pathology from which – after an operation – Lance Armstrong, the famous cyclist, perfectly recovered. In 90% of cases, affected people respond positively to therapy. But there is also a 10%. From September until yesterday, it has been 7 months of struggle.
Pietro faced them like a rugby player does, especially one who plays in scrum: with courage, strength, the unshakable will of someone who knows they have to give everything they have inside. Never give up. And then, he has a wonderful family next to him: a brother 2 years older – Francesco known as Juve, long-time captain of Cus -, his sisters Chiara and Cecilia, two formidable parents. Andrea and Paola met while singing in the church choir. They have a very strong faith, even if Andrea one day let out a desperate phrase: «All this is profoundly unfair. I should have gotten sick, not you.” But Pietro, a giant of feelings, had replied serenely: «No, it’s right like this: because I am young and strong. I will heal.” Even when he remained locked in a room at the IST, undergoing massive and debilitating treatment, he continued to watch his teammates’ matches on his tablet.
For him, who had studied at the German School, rugby has always been the most important thing: because rugby means friendship, support. In the past he had received several offers to go and play for other teams and perhaps become professional, but he didn’t: Pietro would never have left those oval brothers with whom he had grown up since he was a child. The other week he wanted to take a plane and follow them to Sardinia. They convinced him to wait until the following Sunday. The derby with Pro Recco, which he had played – and won – many times in the past. It was like being back on the pitch again, winning. And then hugging your companions, in that embrace that never ended and still continues. Can we be happier? This afternoon at 5.30pm the rosary will be held and the funeral will be held on Saturday at 10am, again at the church of the Immaculate Conception in via Assarotti.
