TMW exclusive
Federico Spada he has been the sports director in Colombia for three years. First at Fortaleza, then atIndependent Medellin, where he still works. He started as a FIFA agent, originally from Bologna, whom he has always followed, exclusively to Tuttomercatoweb.com after analyzing Argentina for the start of the Copa America, Spade he elaborates on many topics, starting from his experience in Colombia: “It is a spectacular experience for any Italian or European to come to work in South America. It is a totally different culture, the characteristics and qualities of Italian players are completely different. I’m in my third year as a sporting director here in Colombia, first a year at Fortaleza in Serie B and now two years here at Medellin, with a championship final and a round of 16 of Sudamericano to be played in August. It’s an important experience that makes me grow, now I’m living this adventure to the fullest and I’m in no hurry to return to Italy. I’m in no hurry to return, it clearly remains my dream because my family is Italian, for 4 months I have had a son on holiday in Italy with his mother and grandparents. So I want to go back there and start another career, but now I’m at Medellin and I’m happy, I hope to continue here next year too.”
And what Copa America do you expect?
“It will be a physical tournament, where the fittest players will prevail. This is why I believe very much in Colombia. The players had a great season this year, I’m thinking of Daniel Munoz in the Premier League (Crystal Palace, ed.), Lucumì in Bologna, Luis Diaz in Liverpool, Jhon Arias at Fluminense, Jhon Cordoba in Russia (Krasnodar, ed.)… today the Colombian national team has not lost in 20 matches, and has played many important ones such as against Brazil, Spain or Germany, beating them all. There is a lot of trust here Cafeterosunlike recent years.”
There is a lot of positivity for Colombia.
“The minimum objective is the semi-final. It’s been more or less ten years since the Colombian national team was this strong, since the 2014 World Cup in Pekerman, which had Falcao, James, Cuadrado. Guarin… from there I had never had so much faith in Colombia. I accompanied them in the last two friendlies in Europe against Spain and Romania: they are a very physical and vertical team, strong on the flanks and in offensive and defensive duels. It’s a very uncomfortable national team, Nestor Lorenzo – Pekerman’s former assistant, now coach – is managing the situation very well. There is a chance to win.”
In the Cafeteros However, Duvan Zapata will not be there. Does he explain it?
“I’m a big fan of Duvan Zapata. But he never did very well in the national team: the fans and the press criticized him a lot after the missed goal against Uruguay which cost them non-qualification for the 2022 World Cup. By numbers, today Zapata should be in the national team, but Nestor Lorenzo wanted to bring about a generational change and among these it also happened to Duvan. Jhon Cordoba, top scorer in Russia, or Miguel Borja, top scorer in Argentina, or Jhon Duran of Aston Villa who has an impressive future, in fact I know that Chelsea are treating him, were preferred to him.”
Let’s come to Italy. You are from Bologna, this year was a historic year for the rossoblu.
“It’s a part of my heart that I always visit when I come to Italy. It’s an impressive project, not only by Thiago Motta but by the club that has worked well on scouting for years: it’s an example for all of Europe. Bologna will continue its great work also without Thiago Motta, obviously the architect of the Champions League qualification and the growth of many players like Calafiori and Lucumì, starters and players in their national teams. Now they are two elements who can easily be sold in the Premier League or who can make the Champions League in Bologna said that their growth was thanks to Thiago Motta, but it was scouting that brought him to Bologna.”
How would you divide up the credit for this ride?
“The credit must always be shared between managers, players and coaches. Last season will hardly be repeated, but Bologna will certainly remain on the big screens over the years. Always as protagonists, like Atalanta in recent years. Clubs must not depend on the coach. Bologna has been working well since Mihajlovic’s last year, especially on scouting, almost all of the starting eleven arrived in the last two years. The company is the real main player. Then Thiago Motta is one of the best coaches in Europe, but Italiano has demonstrated with the Conference League finals and with the championships in La Spezia and Florence that he is a worthy coach, who deserves this opportunity in Bologna. I remain optimistic.”
Thiago Motta just joined Juventus. Is it the right choice?
“Yes, absolutely. His abilities could be seen in the PSG youth team, then in Genoa and La Spezia. He is a coach who has always shown modern football, made up of clear ideas. He could have gone to Juventus or Manchester United, he’s not afraid of anything. He has a good game plan and with him Juve’s cycle starts again, he can return to fighting for titles in the coming years. The super signing of the summer in Serie A is Thiago Motta at Juventus.”
Zirkzee’s future is still at stake in Bologna.
“I would see him very well at Milan, Fonseca likes attackers of this type. He has great quality, he opens up space for the wingers and in this case with Pulisic and Leao it would work perfectly. While he would struggle more at Inter or Juve with the presence of Vlahovic or Lautaro and Thuram, Zikrzee must play an important role in the club he will go to. He came from Bayern where he didn’t play since Lewandowski was there, now he was the main player for Bologna and has to go to a team to be a starter. Whether it’s Milan, Inter or Juve, but for me I repeat, at the Rossoneri he has a better chance of being important in the project.”