WorldSpring interviewed the manager of the Padua nursery Carlo Sabatiniwho five years ago launched a very young Giovanni Leoni, fresh from his debut in Serie A with the Parma shirt: “He is a product of our youth sector and has become an example for other young people. He has had several problems related to his morphological structure due to the significant physical growth he had. He therefore provided maximum performance and sometimes did not even play, but thanks to his work culture and the above average mental strength that distinguishes him he managed to emerge physical potential important skills, which in my opinion he has not yet expressed, as well as important technical qualities, such as key passes, game changes and he also knows how to play vertically. Which defender could Giovanni say he is inspired by Van Dijk, but he doesn’t have those characteristics, with the right proportions, it is more similar to Skriniar”.
Then a thought relating to his move to the Crociati: “There were famous teams, but I think that Parma was the ideal place for him. The ducal one is an important club, with ambitious projects and which focuses decisively on talented young people. In such a reality, the boy can express himself with tranquility.”
Finally, an anecdote linked to his time in the Primavera: “Coach Rossettini had decided to leave him on the bench because he didn’t see him concentrating and Giovanni, after speaking with him, understood the choice and thanked him. This is evidence of the human depth of the boy An episode that allowed him to mature further and then deserve the call from Sampdoria to Serie B.”