TMW
From the stands to the field. The journey may seem short but the sensations, the perspectives, the emotions change radically. It is the story of Federico Accornerostriker born in 2004. Genovese by birth, a true Genoano (with a capital G). With the rossoblù tattooed not only on his heart but on his skin. In the truest sense of the word. On his arm he bears the memory of his grandfather Vittorio, also a great rossoblù fan like everyone in the family. From Distinti, where he watched Grifone games, to being a protagonist with the youth sector teams until reaching the first team. The Gradinata Nord is the constant, always there, to push anyone who wears the jersey of the oldest club in Italy: “I never get tired of looking at it” Accornero emphasizes.
From fan to player
Fresh from the Moena retreat, he was added to the first team together with Ekhator and Ahnor, and in the match against Verona, coach Gilardino (who made him debut in Serie B in the home match against Cosenza two years ago now) called him from the bench to bring him on in the final minutes: “Wearing the Genoa shirt is an incredible emotion. And a few weeks ago I realized a dream: my debut in Serie A with the team I love”. “When I was little, I always went to the stadium when I could – he continued -. My dad always took me to the stadium in Distinti and we watched as many Genoa games as possible. Going from fan to player is a strange feeling”.
The idols
Mister Gilardino helps him, he always encourages him to give his best in training, as he does with all his boys. On the pitch, however, there is a charismatic figure, a driving force for the younger players, like Milan Badelj: “He helps us a lot both on and off the pitch – he underlined – he gives us a lot of advice. He is an exquisite person. Training with players of this calibre is important and makes you grow a lot”. His idols as a boy “definitely Messi but I see myself in Gumdundsson’s style of play”. And the Icelander, who has now moved to Fiorentina, was very important: “He gave me a lot of advice. Seeing him train up close, he is truly an incredible player”.