THE CHARACTER
From the third time … to the Excellence, one might say. For now the Alpina, pardon the new Longarone Alpina, is one third of the way. From the second she climbed to the first category last summer, but she doesn’t want to stop the ascent.
This is what the volcanic president Carlo Giuliana wishes, together with his management staff to whom the Gialloblù number one reserves praise and thanks. Giuliana was known until a few years ago above all for his political commitment in the capital, while he had never been involved in the world of football. Then, in July 2019, at La Rossa they asked him to take on the most important position in place of Giorgio De Bona. Since that day the Alpina has become one of the most talked about teams in our football. Thick grafts, sometimes coming from the top amateur leagues, statements by Giuliana himself out of the usual habits, complex corporate operations aimed at structuring the club to aim higher, etc. etc.
«But for me, real football starts from the promotion up. There are not even the linesmen from First to Third. And this totally changes the way we play ».
Do you want the promotion?
«Sure… but only as an intermediate step to reach Excellence. Up to there we will be able to push ourselves with our own strength. Higher up it would be complicated ».
When did you enter football?
«Winter 2018. Some friends involve me in the Alpine world. But I immediately realize that the environment gave more importance to the third time than the first and second. One day I went to the locker room and I was faced with six, seven cases of beer. When they asked me to become president, I dictated the conditions so that Alpina was no longer just a Second or Third Category team. The other members of the company have more or less understood ».
Before then, no football?
“Of course! I could borrow the title of Ibrahimovic’s book: “I am football”. I used to go as a child to cheer Palermo at the stadium with my dad. And recently there is also a photo that portrays me in the stands at the OIimpico next to Massimo Moratti on the occasion of the unfortunate Italian Cup final lost against Inter in May 2011. I have a rosanero heart, with the addition of a sympathy against Milan ».
Let’s go back to the Alpina. The market hits your reality is getting used to and lofty ambitions often arouse criticism. Many dispute your actions, a bit like what happened not so long ago with the Limana.
«For me, ambition does not represent a negative feeling, quite the contrary. If it is not excessive, we are faced with the spice of life. I just can’t tell my players, or the managers, or the fans to just think about saving themselves. Someone doesn’t love us, I know. They talk about us, including those who are higher in the football hierarchy … But if they have Alpina in their heads, it means that we are growing and I am happy ».
You have reconfirmed Dimas, aim to keep Fusciello, coveted by other D and Excellence players.
«For the attack I contacted two names like Rej Volpato (ex Juventus, in the last season at Camisano in Excellence, ed) and Denis Maccan, who among others played with Brescia, Perugia, Pordenone, Tamai and Portogruaro. It is not easy to agree, especially from the logistical point of view, but we will see ».
Other shots coming, following the reconfirmations and the addition of Andrea Sitta?
«I spoke to Mike Miniati, former Union Feltre captain. But he prefers to stay in D (he will go to Cartigliano, ed). We have several contacts ».
But his market dreams … impossible?
“I have two of them. One is Adriano “the Emperor”. If he could still guarantee a few minutes, it would be a dream to replicate the operation carried out in recent months by the Serie D Sona with Maicon ».
It really is an impossible dream, I know. The second one?
«Roberto Padrin, mayor of Longarone. He doesn’t know it yet, but I want to be part of our squad ».
Already more feasible I would say. In the meantime, go play in the stadium of his municipality.
“The merger was a necessary operation. We have invested money to give dignity to the structures of La Rossa, but the players of our squad and those of higher categories who will come need to guarantee much more important scenarios. Longarone is the best and also allowed us to share a serious planning together with the people of the other company. We bring together structures, the youth sector, people, economic forces to aim high ».
The Longarone Alpina is therefore not only Carlo Giuliana.
“Of course not. Competent people work by my side: I am thinking of Loris Fistarol, Toni Mele, Antonio Greco, the technical staff, the new ex Longarone managers and so on ».
By the way, you are against the criterion of using the 2019-2020 season as a yardstick for the repechage. By doing so, you will not go up to the Promotion Office.
«At the end of October we were at the top of the First and we would have won the tournament with our eyes closed. We hired Dimas and Keber for this, but they never let us start over ».
But how is the relationship with the coach Tiziano Schiocchet going? You are two people of great personality.
«In my opinion he has never enjoyed himself as much as he has in these two years with us. The Alpina represents a large family. To come to us to play there is a waiting list… ». GIANLUCA DA POIAN
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