Yvan Le MeeHamza Rafia’s agent, spoke to Sportitalia of the Lecce player’s first year in Serie A: “It wasn’t difficult for him to make this leap, if we consider that his basic training was of a high level, between Lyon in France and Juventus in Italy. In Juventus he trained in the first team among great players and you couldn’t see such a clear difference in the level he showed he had.”
In Italy there is the problem of having to pay your dues.
“I would say that there is more of a psychological problem in launching a player who comes from a lower category, rather than a real footballing problem. Certainly to remain in the top flight you must have leg, strength, you must be tactically and technically prepared, have resistance, determination. At the same time, I say one thing.”
Please.
“As for Hamza, I can say that he has always had all these qualities innately and that he combines the physical aspect with the technical and mental aspects and the motivation of wanting to do well. As he is doing with Lecce.”
Lecce who believed in him strongly.
“Yes, in the Giallorossi he has carved out his place in Serie A. We are talking about a club that perhaps doesn’t take players with long CVs, it takes risks that other clubs in Italy don’t have the courage to take on. Trinchera and Corvino had foresight and decision in focusing on him without paying attention to anything other than his abilities.”
How much has playing for the national team made him grow in recent years?
“Playing with Tunisia gives him great confidence. There he mainly plays as a midfielder or as a “10”. Against Croatia in a friendly (which ended 0-0 and then Croatia won on penalties) Hamza played great as an attacking midfielder, behind the striker, he was born in that role. An anecdote tells a good story about his performance.”
Which?
“At the end of the match a certain Luka Modric went straight to him to congratulate him and to ask him to exchange shirts. He may not mean anything, of course, but Hamza was pleased to see that an idol like the Croatian was positively impressed by his match, so much so that he asked him for the shirt.”
And what was the Africa Cup of Nations experience like?
“First of all I say that it was intelligent of Sportitalia to show this competition, which today shows really high level matches: African football has changed a lot, I have seen beautiful matches, with great quality players coming from the best leagues. There Hamza played both in a more external position, as a midfielder in the 3-man line and as an attacking midfielder. Interpreting everything with intelligence, application and with his technique. He has proven to be a modern player, as coaches require today: he knows how to play many roles from midfield up.”
With Gotti he has recently also been deployed in the midfield 2 in front of the defence, in the 4-2-3-1. How did you find it and how did you see it?
“With Zeman in Pescara he played both as a playmaker in front of the defense and as a midfielder on both the right and left sides, but he missed playing as a 2-man. He got along well, he formed a really good pair with Blin, a player who gives great tactical balance. Certainly for Hamza there are more limitations from an attacking point of view: he cannot push forward like he would as an attacking midfielder, but I think he manages to make his contribution in other ways.”
Which?
“With the physical strength he has, the tactical intelligence and covering the field well with Blin. Against Monza he won 5-6 aerial duels which are quite a few and he has never been afraid of having the ball at his feet: he doesn’t hide, whoever needs it knows he can give it to him and he plays it well, even when it’s “hot”. I think this gives some confidence to the teammates. He ran a lot, making a great interdiction in particular on Pessina.”
Has his personality been noticed by any big club, in Italy or abroad?
“Certainly many clubs will see the personality he demonstrates on the pitch. He has the right head, he is a team player, he plays for it more than for himself: it is an important thing in modern football for midfielders, who have to do everything, from the attacking phase to running and tackling in behind. He knows how to make the difference with and without the ball. There are few players on the market who can match his level in so many midfield roles.”
Do you think Lecce will want to keep him in the summer?
“We have time for all these things. Today the club is happy and proud of him, starting with Trinchera, Corvino and I think also the President. The boy is really very, very happy in Lecce, Puglia. He found a club that is like a family, then he also had a son with his wife, with whom he lives in Lecce. It’s his first full season in Serie A, he’s fine. Then the market is the market.”
If an offer came in would you consider it?
“Few companies, if a real offer arrives, say no regardless, perhaps 4 or 5 in Europe can afford it. So we’ll see if something arrives, as is true for everyone. Of course, as far as we are concerned, the objective is to do well with Lecce, having a second, great season in the Giallorossi. In the meantime, let’s celebrate this salvation, all together.”