How did you feel when you scored two goals for Juve with the Parma shirt?
I was on loan. There were great forwards: Hernan Crespo, Alberto Paloschi, Valeri Bojinov and Nicola Amoruso. I came from B. I did very well, I scored seven goals. Juve-Parma was the match that any child dreams of living. My whole family was in the stands. We won and I scored Buffon twice, in defense were Fabio Cannavaro and Giorgio Chiellini. It was an unforgettable day.
Did you say anything to your former teammates after the brace?
We just said goodbye. It was not an easy time for them. There had been disputes. I went to the showers and then to celebrate with my family. In the summer of 2010 I returned to Juve. I stayed there for six months, then I chose to go away to play. I had little patience: in hindsight it was one of my faults. If I could change anything about my path, I would change this. I should have bided my time. Leaving like this was a mistake. I still cheer for Juve because it was my life.
Do you like the bianconeri today?
In my Juve, the step backwards was linked to relegation, today it is due to the generational change. All the major players have left. Chiellini was the last, Leonardo Bonucci will be next. You have to be patient. There has been an economic downsizing, the club’s policy is changing. The company is looking to rejuvenate the squad. The Vlahovic shot was super. The return of the Milanese can stay there after nine championships. I am convinced that Juve will soon return to the top.
What does the club lose with Chiellini’s departure?
A piece of society in the locker room. Chiellini has Juventus DNA and a culture of work, leadership and depth on the pitch. Juve loses a lot. He is one of the old defenders left in the modern era, a blatantly good one-on-one. Replacing him on and off the pitch will be the most complicated thing.
Speaking of men who make a difference: what is Marco Rossi’s secret?
He is reaping the rewards of the mess tin. Marco started from C, in Italy he had problems and questioned himself in Hungary. With Honved he opened a five-year cycle crowned by winning the 2016-17 championship, then he went to Slovakia to the DAC where he showed what he’s worth. Hungary gave him the chance of his life. I know how passionately he trains. He played a great group at the European Championships with France, Germany and Portugal. He will soon have the opportunity to compete with a top club. He is very empathetic, a great motivator. He doesn’t put himself on the pedestal like so many of his colleagues do. He tries to enter the private life of his players to understand them better. I wish him much success.
Why is it so difficult to emerge in Italy? What are the biggest problems of the system?
The coaches are dismissed after two lost games. This leads everyone to want to take few risks. There is no time to be wrong. Coaches go on safe second-hand. There is too much tacticism. Also in B there is anxiety about the result. Every single race weighs: this slows the growth path of young people. I hope something changes. It takes courage. Only in this way can we relaunch our football. We have the right qualities to return to having the best championship in the world as it was at the beginning of the 2000s.
How does it work in Hungary instead?
Regulations protect the movement. Only Hungarians play in B, in A there is an obligation to bring in at least two Under-21s among the owners. In Italy we need an examination of conscience. Roberto Mancini has called up many good young players, but few of them play continuously: I am thinking of Matteo Cancellieri.
How do you judge Mancini’s progress with the national team?
Positive considering the qualifying round. In Italy we are masters at throwing everything in disgust. Failure to participate in the World Cup is a failure, despite this Mancini has played an important three-year period. Sometimes the defeats are used to restart and try to invest more in young people.
Hungary and Italy will compete in the Nations League in September: is it a derby for you?
I have a particular sympathy for the coach Rossi who was my former coach. They are two nations that I follow with great attention. I am very attached to both.
Which squares have you been most attached to?
Bari gave me a lot in my first year of professionalism. I had never been away from home. I lived a sensational season. There is a great bond between me and the fans. I remember Perugia fondly, despite the fact that there is little left. Then there are my two experiences in Hungary: the first with Honved, the second at Ferencvaros to play the European cups. I won the Scudetto and the top scorers, then I went back to Honved to be forgiven. Some fans had not accepted my transfer.
You also played in Turkey at Adana Demirspor, the team of Vincenzo Montella and Mario Balotelli: how did it go?
In the first year we were promoted to A. I found myself well. I had some problems with the top management of the club and I left in January 2021. Adana have the second fan base after Besiktas. Sorry to have been there in the Covid period. There is a stadium with 60,000 spectators, it would have been nice to complete.
What does it do besides football? Do you have any hobbies?
I’ve always been a simple guy. I dedicate myself so much to my daughters, for me the family is always in first place. I took it everywhere. The little girls followed a little bit high school paths. I owe so much to them. Now we are together in my house in Sardinia. This island has always been my refuge after all seasons: it is the perfect place to release tension, it conveys something special.
For me, yes, even if it is still the region where my father was born. I played in Palermo and Catania, but I lived little in Sicily for only a year and a half. I still consider it a fantastic land.
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