The former striker: “Novellino taught me a lot, Recoba was fantastic, that year we got along as if we had always known each other”
Venezia returns to Serie A just a year after relegation. A perfect ride from Stroppa’s team, who earned promotion with a round to spare. “I didn’t expect that he could almost always stay at the top of the championship.” Filippo Maniero – best scorer in the history of the lagoon players with 59 goals in 128 appearances, together with Francesco Pernigo – is a little surprised: “Constant results and phenomenal attackers, it was a great Venice”.
Tell the truth: what if they had told you about Venezia in Serie A in advance in August?
“I wouldn’t have believed it. Even if I expected the imminent rise, yes. I didn’t think he could dominate the championship so much, he has almost always been first in the standings from January onwards.”
Who should be given the credit?
“In Stroppa, a wizard of promotions. And then the attackers, the ones who make the difference. Adorante and Yeboah, the 9th and 10th of the team. They scored almost thirty goals between them, they mix well in terms of characteristics. And then credit to the collective: we all win and lose together.”
What advice would you give to Venezia for next season?
“Keep the core of the team. The club must not start selling left and right: creating a group is not easy. Continuing with the backbone that brought you to Serie A is the first step to take. Then we will need to evaluate some players: there are those who perform in Serie B and struggle in Serie A. Stroppa, for sure, must stay.”
You talked about companies: do you like the current American ownership?
“I don’t know anyone personally, but it seems to me that they have a solid project. Returning immediately to Serie A is not an easy mission, also for reasons of motivation. There is money and ideas too.”
How much has Serie B grown in recent years?
“There is always balance, like in my time. In the season of my return to Serie A (2000-2001, ed), we came fourth with Prandelli. You hardly see big differences in points. Just look at the battle for survival today, there are many teams under attack.”
In the 2001-2002 season you scored 18 goals in Serie A, a career high, but they weren’t enough to save Venezia…
“Those were different times. Among other things, we were relegated with… 18 points, a twist of fate. In today’s football it is difficult to see a team relegated with a striker who scores almost 20 goals. We weren’t poor, but when you run into seasons that go badly…”.
Among other things, in that year he scored against Milan, Inter, Lazio: in short, against the greats of the championship. Which goal are you most attached to?
“The double at Turin before Christmas: we celebrated a lot. Even the 1-1 at San Siro against Milan, with Shevchenko’s goal and my equalizer with a header. For a team that had to save itself, it was a golden point.”
The coach with whom you bonded most in the lagoon?
“Newbie. I arrived from Milan in 1998 and there were great expectations for me. In the first four months I struggled greatly, then from January, with the arrival of Recoba, I exploded and scored 12 goals: I started with a brace against Inter at San Siro and finished with another goal against Inter in May. Walter is an extraordinary person, he improved me as a man and as a footballer. But I also had Prandelli and Spalletti, two greats coaches”.
What relationship did he have with Recoba?
“Beautiful. An extraordinary person from a human point of view and a phenomenon on the pitch. I’ve seen few left-handed players like him: in six months he practically gave us salvation. On the pitch we knew each other by heart: one look was enough and he sent me away. It seemed like we’d known each other for 15 years.”
And with Zamparini?
“In the locker room with us he was one person, on TV he was another. I always had a good relationship with him: he spoke frankly and did good for Venezia. Despite relegations and promotions, he never let us lack anything.”
What are you doing today?
“I am Mauro Zironelli’s assistant coach at Cjarlins Muzane, Friulian Serie D”.
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