Riccardo Calafioridefender of Bolognagave an interview to Changing Room Chronicles to talk about many topics, starting with the relationship with Daniele De Rossinow technician of Rome: “In his last year as a player an important bond was formed. We spent a lot of time together, I never expected it. If I think back to those days, when we were in the car together: it was almost a dream for me. he accompanied me home and took me to Trigoria, I don’t know what went through his mind to do this with me. He certainly saw that I was in a difficult moment, given that it was the period in which I was injured. He saw that I was good boy and he helped me in this sense. In any case, even afterwards, for any important decision I heard his opinion. The other week we met on the field and it was very strange, but he is doing well too and I hope it continues like this. On the day of the retreat, when he goes around the field, the last person he hugs is me: I burst into tears, I couldn’t do it. It was too emotional for me. Then I didn’t want it to stop because the following year I would came back and I would have trained with him in the first team. Instead he then went to Boca.”
What did the injury mean to you and who was close to you?
“Balzaretti was the first to come to the hospital after the knee injury. They brought me the shirt signed by the entire first team and I was only 16 years old. This lifted my spirits a lot. In the first days, for what they had given me the doctors said, I had lost a bit of faith. Then when we decided that I would have the operation in the United States, I always thought it would end well.”
Behrami said she noticed his personality right away.
“I didn’t expect it. The six months at Genoa weren’t very positive: I only made 1 appearance as a starter. I went to play and in the end I played more in Rome. Maybe I was a little nervous because I felt ready to be able to play: I think you could feel the fact that I had this will and this personality on the pitch.”
Tell us about your experience at Basel.
“That choice was 20% mine and 80% the result of necessity. It was the last day of the transfer market and it was the only opportunity I had. Once I arrived I noticed the atmosphere there and the serenity with which he could play This is because at 18-19 you may not be ready for pressure, especially if you grow up in a big club like me in Roma. I had never played 10 games in a row before that moment, in Basel I played 20, 30 : this makes the difference. If I watch the matches in the Swiss championship now I say that the level is different, but when you’re actually there there’s a lot of intensity, a lot of changes in front, little tactics. So even on a physical level it’s very training The facilities are excellent, despite being a lower category.”
Was the change of role due or desired?
“The transition from full-back to central defender happened out of necessity, but from the first day in Bologna I spoke to Thiago Motta and he immediately told me that he also saw me at the center of defense. I told him that I had already done so in the past , but in a 3-man defence. He reassured me, saying that little changed between 3-man and 4-man defence. In training I realized that it was going well and match by match we raised the level of play The one closest to me is Stones, but I don’t decide on my own to go and play in midfield: they are all dictated by the coach.”
Would you like to work with Thiago Motta for life?
“It certainly changed my way of reading the opponent and understanding the spaces. Then I hardly found myself disagreeing with what he said and this had never happened to me, regardless of my sympathies. What if he isn’t empathetic? Ours it’s an entirely hands-on relationship, but it’s not absolutely unpleasant, on the contrary.”
How much do you think about a call from Italy?
“The national team is always an objective. I believe Spalletti’s words about my possible involvement for the European Championships, he also came to the dressing room in the last match with the national team and told us that the Under 21 team is an extension of the senior selection. In those matches I and other players were needed for the Under and in my opinion he did well like this, this summer’s goal remains, I will give it my all. In any case it will be fine.”