Roberto D’Aversa equalizing to Lecce with theEmpoli inadvertently caused the dismissal of Luca Gotti, the coach who took over from him last season. In an interview given to La Gazzetta dello Sportthe Tuscan coach spoke about the episode like this: “I am very sorry, he said important words towards me after reaching safety. And I remember with pleasure the period spent with Corvino and Trinchera”.
You seemed destined for Cesena, then Empoli arrived.
“In Cesena they knew that the category was important for me for a very specific reason: I had been disqualified for a bad gesture in Serie A, I wanted to rehabilitate myself in Serie A. I want the values of the person to emerge before those of the coach. With Corsi and Gemmi agreed in half an hour. I want to thank them because it wasn’t an easy choice.”
How do you consider your experience at Empoli? In your career, what stage does it represent?
“I think about the present. Then it’s clear that I’m still young, but ambitious. Empoli was an important springboard for many players and also for coaches who won the Scudetto starting from here. We need to make a journey. Now, however, I just want salvation, perhaps in advance.”
At the table with Conte do you only talk about football?
“The friendship with him and with Daniele Faggiano has distant roots. I met Antonio in Siena, when he was De Canio’s deputy and I was playing. The wives began to meet, then we became friends. A truly close relationship. Talking about football is inevitable and – admits D’Aversa – Antonio is worse than me in this.”