The Olbia coach exalts Altare, his pupil a year ago in the Gallura team: “He seems slow, in reality he is very effective and has the habit of scoring”
CAGLIARI. The man of the day is Giorgio Altare, who with his head kick pulled Cagliari out of the abyss in Salerno, giving them the chance to fight again for salvation. There are those who know the rossoblù giant very well, having trained him just a year ago in Olbia, the coach Max Canzi. «Giorgio is a mountain from Bergamo. A tough guy who never gives up. For this reason he reached the top up to Serie A, after having traveled a path full of difficulties, which would have discouraged others ».
Yes, because Altare, born in 1998, was a product of the Milan nursery, which didn’t believe much, as did Genoa who took over the card and sent him around on loan in Serie C. “The our sporting director Tommaso Tatti – underlines Canzi -, who understood his potential and brought him to Olbia in the middle of two seasons ago ».
From there began a new career for the “cuirassiere from Bergamo”. «In practice, last season – says Canzi – was the first in which he played an entire championship as a starter. And he has grown a lot, a lot, until the doors of Cagliari’s retreat are thrown open ».
Then Mazzarri threw him into the first team, and Altare never gave up on his post. «He was able to take advantage of some injuries of the players who were in front of him in the hierarchy – continues the Olbia coach – showing what he’s made of. After all, Altare seems a slow and clumsy player, but right in the eyes of those who understand little about football, in reality he is very effective ».
And he has the vice of scoring … «Yes, because he scored some with us too. Heading into the area can be deadly, as it was on Sunday in Salerno. Where he rejoiced, yes, but in a somewhat restrained way, given that the team had gone there to win and took away a point that, in any case, keeps Cagliari alive ».
Yeah, how is Cagliari doing now? Relegation seems the most likely option. But Canzi is absolutely not of this opinion. «The situation is very complicated – admits the Olbia coach – but it’s not over yet. Also because the team is there and proved it with the splendid reaction on the fiery field of Salernitana. Of course, at this point, in third from last place, it does not depend only on them but on the concomitant results. But, well, everything is still at stake ».
But the first obstacle is called Inter, which will still be fighting for the Scudetto on Sunday. «If we look at the values on the pitch – underlines Canzi – it is clear that Inter are from another planet. But it is a dry match, with the important boost of the home crowd, and with motivations that are perhaps superior to the Nerazzurri. In short, it is not crazy to think of a positive result from Cagliari. Indeed, if you really want to know, I really believe in a final in favor of the rossoblù ».
Meanwhile, he enjoys the good result of his Olbia, which made a great impression in the C playoffs, after having led the Cagliari Primavera, churning out people like Carboni, Gagliano and Ladinetti for the first team. «A fantastic experience – Canzi remembers -. Giulini changed the company’s attitude towards the youth sector. Cagliari’s interest in young people has become structural, a completely different story compared to the previous management. And the results, first mine and then Agostini’s with the Primavera, prove it ».