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“The balance that can be drawn so far is certainly very positive, we are on a path that we like and which we will try to maintain as much as possible, because by moving forward along this line the results will continue to speak for themselves. But let’s be clear, the main objective is salvation: if an ‘after’ comes, we will be ready”: he begins like this, exclusively to the microphones of TuttoMercatoWeb.com, Spezia goalkeeper Stefano Goriwho with the Ligurian Eagles is enjoying third place in the standings when we have reached the third break of the season and the first round is heading towards its conclusion.
The talented born in ’96 then continued: “We must try to maintain this trend for as long as possible, if we can even do it for the entire championship, but we know that there will be physiological moments of difficulty, it will be up to us to try to make up for everything. Also because Serie B is a very strange championship, what the paper says is not always reflected on the pitch: the secret is finding the right chemistry between players, and from this perspective the coach’s work is also needed.”
In this sense, Mr. D’Angelo’s hand is evident from last season…
“As they say, ‘once is a coincidence, twice a suspicion, three times proof’. What we are seeing is not a coincidence, Mr. D’Angelo, who I have known since Pisa, knows how to give a lot of serenity to the group, he is very positive and good not only in seeking but also in finding the right balance between the team and the external environment. He always knows how to use the right words, few but right.”
Speaking of coaches, one central to your career was Palladino. Did you expect the results it is having in Florence?
“Last year I made an important investment for my career, namely to go to Monza to work with the goalkeeper coach Magni, who I already knew, and with coach Palladino: he has a Serie A vision of the game, he knows how to raise the level of the team by proposing a certain game, by following it you learn a lot, I improved a lot in playing with my feet for example. It was an experience that I put in my baggage, a fundamental stage. And since I saw what the mister’s ideas, not I’m amazed to see him achieve certain results: initially he struggled, but when you propose a different game to what a group is used to, the difficulties are normal. Then, when the rust is removed and the gears start turning, it becomes tough the others.”
Among the protagonists of Monza, also Di Gregorio, now a protagonist at Juventus. Did you see him ready for a season at this pace?
“I didn’t expect anything different from Michele than what he’s doing, he’s talented, he’s there for everyone to see. I’ve never had any doubts about him.”
However, your results can also be seen: six clean sheets out of nine matches played.
“The clean sheets come from the moment in which the team does everything it has to, together with a pinch of luck. It is a result that represents the goalkeeper, it frames him, but the work belongs to the whole team. Attackers included. Not we never leave anything to chance and we don’t want to do it, we don’t lock ourselves in but we are very careful, and we always want more, to try to do what we set ourselves from race to race.”
You were talking about attackers. Pio Esposito’s explosion is evident.
“Pio is a young striker, and the fact that he has already scored 6 goals compared to 3 last season shows how much he has grown in less than a year. Of course, the team is rotating and this helps him, but he always knows how to find himself in the right place at the right time. He must stay with his feet on the ground and continue working, if everything goes as it should he will be the next striker for the national team.”
National, which leads to the break. How are you experiencing this moment of forced stop?
“On the break we can do little well, it’s not something that depends on us so we don’t even have to think about it, we can only act on things that depend on us. We get there with a positive streak of results, and that’s the only thing we have to think about, the rest shouldn’t concern us. Let’s think about preparing as best we can for the match against SudTirol, having a slightly longer week than usual: we will find a team that wants revenge, it will be up to us to face them in the usual way.”
The ranking says that you are third, not far from the Pisa of one of your former coaches: did you expect to see Inzaghi at the top?
“Based on how I know him and how I’ve seen him in recent years, I can say yes, I expected to see him among the first.”
A little personal note. Rumors say that you are a great chef: have you already learned typical dishes from La Spezia?
“I’m telling the truth. We always train in the afternoon, and I have other situations that don’t allow me to spend too much time at home, so when I get back I just cook something quick, I don’t have much time available. But I promise that as soon as I have time I will study local recipes” (laughs, ed.).