The “Uncle” at the Milan Football Week between the youth sector, the Nerazzurri and the World Cup: “The boys must be allowed to make mistakes. Chivu is almost perfect. In the USA the favorite is France”
“I do too many things.” Beppe Bergomi smiles and thus photographs his present. Television commentator, coach of the Under 17 elite of the Inter Academy, attentive observer of the present and custodian of a unique story, that of the boy who won a World Cup with Italy at the age of 18. At the Milan Football Week – which began yesterday at CityLife and is scheduled until June 14th with other exceptional guests, including Christian Abbiati and Sebastien Frey – the “Uncle” went through the past, present and future of football, returning above all to the theme that is closest to his heart: young people.
THE YOUNG PEOPLE
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“Compared to the past they are smarter,” explains Bergomi. “We need to communicate directly. I don’t want earrings on the pitch, but I won’t take away their cell phones. They get to many things first and want everything straight away. What they have to learn to accept is exclusion, the period in which they don’t play. Those who can understand this can handle the pressure.” Then he adds: “We need to leave them free to make mistakes. Sometimes parents put pressure, while we have to lighten the situation. Let’s work for the good of these kids.”
TALENT IS NOT ENOUGH
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For Bergomi, talent is only the beginning of the story. “Determination is fundamental. Children must understand that to achieve a goal you have to work hard. Nobody gives you anything.” And to explain the concept he quotes Gianluca Vialli: “He said that even doing the stock market well requires talent. I add that you have to leave the pitch as you found it, arrange the balls and the changing rooms. This is education.”
THE ITALY KNOT
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The discussion extends to the system. “In the youth categories we continue to make excellent progress, but the problem comes later. The leap towards the first team is missing. We must have the courage to accept the mistakes of the young people and let them make mistakes.” Selection is also fundamental: “I had Mino Favini as a teacher at Atalanta. He always told me that talented kids must be waited for. The youth sector is for training, not for winning.”
THE NAMES OF THE FUTURE
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Bergomi identifies the future of Italian football and names the names. “Pio Esposito is an important boy, Ndour is very good, while Palestra has great potential. We need to look at the 2008s, because the 2005s are no longer young. In other leagues these boys play as starters, in ours much less so.” On Palestra he goes unbalanced: “He could be Inter’s future in that area of the pitch. He has important technical qualities, he knows how to jump the man and turn the action around. If he grows in assists and goals he will make a further leap in quality.”
CHIVU AND INTER
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When it comes to Inter, Bergomi shows confidence in the new direction. “I believe a lot in the players, in the club and in the planning. Chivu is a person who enters your heart. Inter needed him.” Then he praises his management: “He protected the team and his communication was almost always perfect.” Regarding the future, however, he urges caution: “This group has solid principles, but next year it will be more complicated to confirm itself.”
FROM BISSECK TO LAUTARO
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Among the players who have grown the most in recent years, Bergomi doesn’t think twice: “Bisseck. Mistakes lead to growth and he has improved a lot.” In the spotlight, however, Lautaro Martinez remains: “Records are made to be broken. Altobelli couldn’t reach Meazza, but Lautaro has the quality to try.”
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP AT THE DOORS
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With Italy out, Bergomi will mainly follow England, Portugal and Spain. “With a player like Yamal you want to watch every match. France, however, remains the favorite in terms of squad depth.” Then the best memory: “My World Cup is the 34th minute of Italy-Brazil in 1982, when Bearzot called me from the bench and sent me onto the pitch. That was my debut. A moment I will never forget.”
plan
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Not only Beppe Bergomi, however, in this fourth edition of Milan Football Week. Appointment with the Operation Nostalgia phenomenon, from social media to stadiums, with Andrea Bini and Max Tonetto: together with former players Nicola Amoruso and Davide Moscardelli, expected at CityLife on Saturday 13 June at 4.30 pm. On Sunday 14 June, at 12pm, the special guests will be Christian Abbiati and Sebastien Frey.
LIVE PODCAST
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On Wednesday 10 June, at 7pm, the Tre Torri stage will host OnlyFanta: the Gazzetta podcast dedicated to the world of fantasy football which will propose a special appointment dedicated to the Fantasy World Cup including analysis, curiosities and advice. Also enriching the program are the shows of the Fast Foot Crew, among the main Italian interpreters of freestyle football, who will stage spectacular performances on Saturday 13 June.
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