Andrea Fregona, the silent leader

Andrea Fregona does not like the spotlight on him. He is a machine man, from behind the scenes, he appears little. Few words and many facts is a concept that is undoubtedly applicable to the character.

A bit like when he played in the half fields of Sedico and Feltrese, not to mention Ztll Sinistra Piave, Belluno and Cornuda.

A person you only hear about well, especially from those guys trained in the long journey between youth sectors. Even if now he is the second of Renato Lauria in the Belluno Dolomites called to give the assault to professionalism.

Trainer of people, even before being a football manager. Then as regards his passion for the rolling ball … it is useless even to try to describe it.

She takes him every day to wake up early to go to work at the butcher’s shop at Kanguro. Then off, rush to workouts, get ready first with meticulous attention. Never a hint of fatigue revealed, because he likes everything about his life, shared with his wife Doris and the now great daughters Giada and Ester. But life can sometimes be fragile and ready to vanish at any moment.

Like when, it was July 2005, at the seven-a-side football tournament of the Sagra dei Per he really risked dying from a sudden illness.

“I was seized by a seizure of epilepsy that really appeared out of nowhere. Even today I have to take medicines, due to a malformation in the cerebellum that was found later: it was present from birth, but I lived with it without symptoms, which no problem had caused me until then. Today, of course, I am under constant medical supervision, luckily no further complications have arisen to date. That day certainly went well. Let’s put it this way: someone up there still didn’t want me ».

Among the first to help you there was Stefano Maset, historic captain of the Feltrese and today adviser of the Dolomites and your great friend. You have shared numerous experiences with him, in the garnet jersey and beyond.

«It is useless to underline the sincere and strong relationship that exists. All born in the Feltrese youth academies, in a path that we shared playing in the Giovanissimi and Allievi categories. Then we met other times. As the only child that I am, I have always considered him a real brother. To underline how strange the destiny of life is, the son Nicolò of whom I am santolo di batessimo was born on the same day as me, let’s celebrate the years together. Indeed, speaking of Nicolò (loaned by the Dolomites to Limana Cavarzano, ed) I wish him to be able to experience a year of useful growth in the new team. He deserves it”.

Now you are part of the Belluno Dolomites. Analyzing your career, it almost seems like a sign of destiny.

«In fact, I think I am one of the few players to have worn the shirts of Sedico, Feltrese and Belluno, feeling well in each of the three realities. Now I am part of a team that brings them together and among other things I have found several managers of the time ».

Sedico was obviously the home team.

«Without a doubt, I live there in Sedico. In Excellence, before the transfer of the title to Feltre due to corporate problems, we were a strong team, with which however we were unable to obtain promotion to D. Peccato, even the previous years, we were unable to rise ».

Speaking of eternal unfinished, even the Feltrese where you went after the sale of the sporting title did not make it up in the category. Among other things, this characteristic has been maintained in the following years.

«Not always if you have the strongest team you can win. Something was always missing ».

What do you tell about Belluno instead?

«A good season in Serie D, two years before the championship victory that brought the Gialloblù to C2».

In between you got a splendid promotion to the Ztll Sinistra Piave. In 2000 you went to the Promotion, coached by Mr. Gigi Perinon, thus remembering in the best way the figure of Christian Vedana, who unfortunately passed away in a tragic accident.

«I had to leave Feltrese as a coach came from Treviso, Cavasin, who wanted to have the training done in the afternoon. I couldn’t reconcile football commitments with work and so I went to Mel every year. It was an unforgettable year and allowed me the following year to go up to D in Belluno. The day after the accident that occurred Christian instead, I remember well, we had to play Ormelle. Obviously we didn’t want to, our heads were somewhere else. But the still current Rossoblù manager Floris Vedana called us, saying that his son would like to see us on the pitch. Needless to say: despite a double numerical inferiority, we managed to win 3-1 ».

We come to current events, called the Belluno Dolomites.

“The three leaderships have come together to bring forward something significant for the entire province. We on the field believe we are ready to obtain important results. But you need to be patient, at least I see it that way. Let me explain: we have many aspects to put together and make it work, therefore it takes the necessary time. The fans must understand this ».

Beyond that you are part of it, you feel the conviction of how having united the three Serie D teams from Belluno was the right thing.

“Exactly. Meanwhile, we are faced with a squad made up for the vast majority of players from Belluno and for the provincial movement it is an aspect to underline. This is reflected at the youth sector level, as it gives young people interesting prospects for tomorrow. Furthermore, there is the will to build a professional future and this would lift the entire provincial football movement. Of course, putting together three companies and three different ideas is not easy and, in fact, we need the necessary timing to find the right balance and a single idea ».

How do these arguments translate on a football field?

«In the awareness of having to compete in a high level championship. We, I am talking about staff and players, want to give our best every game, especially thinking about the sense of attachment towards this shirt that represents the entire province. The aspect to underline is that in a short time a solid and compact group has already been created. But from here to say what we could achieve in the field, it is difficult to say. We certainly start with a fortune ».

Which?

«That of having a champion on the bench like Renato Lauria. And mind you, I’m not just saying this because I work together ».

By the way, how did your collaboration start?

«I have known him for many years, it must be said. However, shortly before the pandemic, we began to collaborate in the training of the two Allievi teams we lead at Belluno. After just ten days, Renato came to ask me if I would like to share future work experiences with him. I accepted immediately, because he is a person and a coach from whom you really learn a lot. There is also one aspect in particular that binds us, namely the passion for this sport ».

And in any case, the role of technician, in your case, is a family matter. Your dad Gigi was another coach of absolute value in provincial football. One always highly esteemed.

«In the meantime, it is thanks to him that I started playing football. The famous passions handed down … Many speak well of him in the role of coach, but above all people appreciate his intelligence. But now he has become a good cyclist, even if obviously football is watching him. But not as a fan of one or the other team, but as a fan of this sport itself ».

But how did you start the journey on the bench?

«First of all, thanks to my company, that is the Kanguro for which I have been working for several years now. Indeed, even today they allow me to cultivate this passion and I am grateful to them. It was they who had pushed me to take this path after what had happened to me that afternoon at the Sagra dei Per. In particular, it was Livio Cassol who got me involved in the Pizzocco Youth ».

Some experience in the first team, but it is known that you have always liked coaching in the youth sector.

«Recognizing one’s limitations I consider it a fundamental thing. I feel more inclined to lead the kids than a team of adults. And among other things, as requests, it is very similar to my current role as assistant coach ».

Colella, current Legnago coach in Serie C also guided you. It’s time to join him in the category for a sort of derby … (after a superstitious smile …).

«It would be nice… I would love to go up in category with Lauria, because he really deserves it».

In recent days we have joked with De Carli, whom you have taken under your wing. The same role and therefore advice and indications are not lacking in this boy who has been awaited for a fundamental year in his growth path.

“He’s very much like me in the way he plays. But I scored 6-7 goals a year, he didn’t. He lacks this, I hope he can fill the gap, I will try to show him the way ».

We leave the green rectangle. Is there room for anything else in Fregona’s life besides family, work and football?

«No, I use that minimum free time that remains to go to sleep and recharge my energy for the next day. I am fortunate to have my wife Doris and daughters Giada and Ester by my side. By now they know my passion for football very well ».

We close with your best football career satisfaction.

«Being part of this project surpasses any other previous football joy. I repeat: I really believe a lot in the Belluno Dolomites ».