TMW Exclusive
It was June 9, 2024, and Carrarese, in the playoff final against a favorite Vicenza, conquered Serie B: Finotto’s goal sealed it all, with a perfect assist from Simone Zanon. A scene that will remain etched in the memory of all the blue people, who have been waiting for this moment for 76 years. And a scene that the blue people were able to enjoy again yesterday: no television replay of the June match, but the third cadet challenge for the Apuans, who against SudTirol – who came to the match as leaders – found their first seasonal success. Goal by Finotto. And assist? By Zanon, it goes without saying.
“It was a race I cared a lot about – says Zanon in the exclusive interview given to TuttoMercatoWeb.com -, and when I found that ball painted by Panico at my feet, I thought for a moment before putting it in the middle first time: initially I wanted to stop it, but I saw Finotto and so I made the assist. It was the right choice. In a fraction of a second the scene experienced against Vicenza flashed before my eyes again, it was beautiful”.
And to think that only three years ago I wanted to leave football: what would you say to the Simone Zanon of the past?
“It’s true, I wanted to change my life, but I decided to give myself one last chance. And now I play in Serie B, as a protagonist, in a fantastic team and club. To Simone of two years ago I would say to think twice and not to give up, by working and dreaming you can get where you want: luckily that’s what I did”.
But let’s get back to the pitch: the performances are not lacking, but the points are not arriving…
Our strength has been the group, the club that was good at maintaining last year’s team and the additions that have settled in.
“The first two games, apart from the first 25-30 minutes in Cesena where we were actually a bit overwhelmed, were still of a high level, and we made everyone understand that we can stay in the category, and that we can compete with anyone. It is clear that we needed the points, but feeling the coach’s clear confidence, convinced that they would arrive soon, made the difference. Our strength, then, was the great group that we are, the club was good at maintaining last year’s team and adding grafts that settled in immediately, very functional to the project”.
Did beating the league leaders give you more confidence?
“In some ways, yes, but we knew our potential, we believed in it. Then obviously having beaten the only team that had full points, and arrived at the match with determination and determination, was something more. But our minds are already on Catanzaro”.
How do you get to Sunday’s match?
“As always, calm and motivated, with knowledge and awareness of our characteristics and strengths: we will play the game to win. Because, I repeat, we have shown that we can play against everyone, holding our own against tough opponents. And we should always remember this”.