Cristiano Giarettasports director of Paphosspoke to the microphones of Radio FirenzeViolathus presenting Thursday’s match in the Conference League: “We are managing to attract important players because we are an emerging club with high-level superstructures. After that, you can no longer send the players who arrive because they find an environment in turmoil.”
Tell us about the Cypriot football reality.
“Football is growing a lot here, Pafos is an example of this. They allowed me to strengthen the team last summer in an important way, signing players from Udinese, Getafe… In short, from top-level clubs. All the clubs here have players from important teams, so the level is rising. Last year we won the Cyprus Cup for the first time, just as in general it is the first time that we play in the Conference League and therefore there is a lot of satisfaction.”
What is the perception of Fiorentina in your area?
“The Viola are going through a great period, so they are scary. There is a unique bloc with the fans, an incredibly positive atmosphere is forming around the team. Everything seems to be going in the right direction. We face Fiorentina in the worst moment of the last sixty years, at least on a statistical level.”
In the Conference, however, the Viola rely on the second lines.
“I don’t think Fiorentina underestimate Pafos like they did against APOEL. I don’t think there will be two missteps in a row. We have to keep our antennas straight, we want to make a good impression in Florence, but it will be a very difficult race for us.”
Did you have different expectations for the tournament?
“I consider it an important competition. As with the Italian Cup: you start by considering it a “cup”, but when you get to the final it’s a blind blow. Everyone prepares well for that too.”
In your opinion, are there any players in Cyprus who could reach Serie A?
“Fiorentina is a fresh team, the average age has dropped. I see a growing team, the attacker is scoring weekly. It’s difficult to predict whether he will make it to the end, but the Viola certainly have a high-quality group and therefore deserve attention. As for the players in our league, I took Luckassen from Maccabi Tel Aviv and for me he can aspire to Serie A.”
Do you expect the opposite path from some Italian players?
“The Cypriot market is a bit snubbed, but it can be understandable for many reasons, this does not mean that some Italian footballers can do the opposite route and arrive in Cyprus”.
How is Kokorin’s season going?
“Last year he had a very good season, which is why they renewed his contract. Now he has started a little less well, but he is convincing himself that even here in Cyprus you have to race because otherwise you struggle, so he can.”