The former neroverde, today at Perugia, speaks for the first time since he left the lizards last summer after four years. “The coach is one who makes you feel good, Stefani, Misuraca, Bassoli, Barison and Ciurria know what it means to fight for the shirt”
PORDENONE. Four seasons, a promotion to Serie B and 149 appearances in all are not easily forgotten, quite the contrary. Salvatore Burrai was so happy in Pordenone that he not only decided to buy a house but is thinking of opening his own business.
Given the premises, it is clear that the director, born in 1987, now at Perugia in Lega Pro, will follow the fate of his former teammates. For the first time after the farewell to the neroverdi, matured last summer, the Sardinian player talked about what his years at De Marchi were. «The best of my career – he defined them -. I am and will be a fan of green lizards. Who will be saved: they can rely on Tesser and the historical group ».
Burrai, let’s start from here. In 2018, after 29 games, you had 34 points like Pordenone today.
“We had to play with La Fermana. President Lovisa turned to us “old men” and said: “Now you have to get me out of this situation.” If we had lost that day, we would have been sucked into the hot zone. After 2 ‘I scored 1-0. It was one of my best goals. We won 2-0 and we are moving towards staying in the category. It was a difficult time, we got out of it ».
A step back: it’s the summer of 2016. Do you remember when Pordenone contacted you?
«I had just returned from a season with Siena in C. I was in Sardinia and my agent, Matteo Roggi, called me. He told me that the project was serious and the coach, Tedino, was playing proactive football. Honestly, I didn’t know the square or the coach. I landed at the Venice airport on a very hot day, I arrived at De Marchi and the situation was the same. “Where did I go?”, I wondered. But after having seen the sports center, talked to the coach and the club, I signed up and realized I had made the right choice ».
That season he played 36 games, scored 5 goals and served 11 assists.
«And as a team we were close to promotion to B. We lost the semifinal to Parma, in the way everyone knows. If we had gone up, with the same team, we would have done very well even among the cadets. We played very well and we were a great group. For many who did not stay that was a lost train. I, with others, continued my adventure. I can say that we have had great satisfaction ».
The final balance speaks of 149 matches, 25 goals and 47 assists: in Pordenone the best years of your career?
“No doubt. I touched 150 appearances but it is as if I had played more. I felt like a point of reference. And I’ve never played in a square for so long. The match with Giana, the one that gave us the B, is still unforgettable. It was the peak of a growth process. Leaving to make a good championship, we won hands down. Now Pordenone must remain among the cadets. It is too important an aspect for the club and its history ».
Between injuries and the “battle” with Covid, can you do it?
«Yes, absolutely, just rely on Tesser and the historical group. The coach has experience and makes you feel good. Guys like Stefani, Misuraca, Bassoli, Barison and Ciurria, the numbers say, have been in neroverde for a long time and know what it means to fight for that shirt. Don’t panic: five points clear of the play-outs with a game to catch up is a good advantage. The final sprint is missing, with some victories we are safe ».
It is perceived that Pordenone still feels it as something of his own. It’s true?
«My idea was to end my career in neroverde, then other choices were made and I say it with a smile, without controversy. I will always thank the Lovisa family who gave me the opportunity to relaunch myself as a footballer. My bond with the city, with the fans is always strong, otherwise I would not have made certain choices. I don’t know if I will go back to live there forever, the idea for now is to do it at the end of my career and for a period. Here in Perugia I still have two more years on my contract, I feel good and I want to continue playing ».
Together with Stefani he obtained the Uefa B license. Would you come back as a coach?
“I’m not a person who sets limits. I’m still a footballer, but I’m studying as a coach. The goal is to obtain the Uefa A license and I have already taken the first steps to achieve this goal. A step at a time. First I think of Perugia, we are fighting for Serie B, and I am cheering for the salvation of Pordenone ».
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