The Juventus singer lived the Lippi years up close. “Gianluca Vialli filmed everything with the camera, I miss him a lot. In June I’m playing at the Stadium, I’m waiting for Del Piero on stage”
The championship is on pause, but Eros Ramazzotti’s ‘An important story’ tour doesn’t stop. The Roman singer and Juventus fan will fulfill his dream of performing at the Allianz Stadium on June 27th. “I would like to have Del Piero and the whole Spalletti team on stage with me – he says – but between the World Cup and holidays it’s impossible. It will still be fantastic: I always get excited because I like to repay those who spend money every time to listen to me”. Eros will arrive at the Stadium launched, after touring Europe and the world. And above all very tight. “At 62 I feel in great shape, I have also lost ten kilos recently: thanks to the apple diet. Two for breakfast and sometimes even for dinner, normal lunch though…”.
Eros Ramazzotti
Roman, born in 1963
In over 40 years of career he has produced 16 studio albums and sold more than 70 million records, also winning 4 World Music Awards
You also trained with Juventus during Lippi’s time: do you think back?
“Vialli comes to mind. Gianluca was too funny: unfortunately he left us early, but he is always in my heart. The year in which we triumphed in the Champions League he filmed everything with his camera. There are many anecdotes, I still shudder when I think of the games with Del Piero and the others in the mud, like kids from the suburbs. Nothing to do with certain mediocre players today who earn a lot and make people laugh. I also saw Zidane in the mud: pure spectacle. Someone like Zizou will no longer exist. Too classy, too strong.”
Now the symbol of Juventus is Yildiz: will he see Del Piero again in the Turkish top ten?
“Every now and then I send messages to Kenan. He’s a good boy: I see Del Piero’s tenacity and determination, qualities that are increasingly lacking among young people. Ale and Kenan have different styles, but they see the goal the same way. Juventus would need eleven Yildiz.”
What song would you sing on stage with Yildiz?
“‘An emotion forever’. And we hope to enjoy it forever, Yildiz.”
Had Lawyer Agnelli ever made any jokes to you when you trained with Juventus?
“He complimented me on how I played in the stands in Munich. He impressed me, but unfortunately it’s an evening I would like to cancel: the Champions League final lost against Borussia Dortmund still hurts me today.”
This year is the thirtieth anniversary of the last Champions League won by the Bianconeri (1996) and the sixth consecutive season without the Scudetto: how do you feel?
“Andrea Agnelli achieved great results in the cycle of 9 consecutive championships and repeating those years seems very difficult to me. It is clear to everyone that bad choices have been made lately. We are Juve, we need to change our tune quickly: we need people who are competent in football and who love Juventus.”
What would you give up to see Juventus winning again?
“You should ask my son, who is getting passionate like me. I would like to see him happy.”
Some players today are really funny. Spalletti has been miraculous so far, go Gattuso
The club trusts in Spalletti, ready to renew until 2028: do you agree?
“I’ve known Luciano since he coached Zenit St. Petersburg and came to my concerts in Russia. We talk every now and then. He’s working a miracle, don’t forget how Juventus was lost in October when he arrived. Now the team has its own personality, but there’s still a long way to go.”
Bernardo Silva of Manchester City, Goretzka of Bayern, the former Juventus player Kolo Muani: what shot do you dream of to try to close the distance to the big names?
“Bernardo Silva is an excellent player. But if I dream… I would also like Doku or Savinho from City. Or Valverde from Real Madrid. In reality the coup I would like most is another: I would like to see some talent blossom from the nursery. Better if Italian.”
Vlahovic, David, Openda: as a former striker of the national singers team, who would you focus on and who would you give a second chance to?
“I would bet my whole life on Vlahovic, I hope the renewal goes well. I won’t talk about the others: I’ll just say that there are players who fit in straight away and others who never adapt to Serie A.”
“I heard that the great Trezeguet, a real striker, recommended Lewandowski to zero. The Pole is the best nine together with Kane of Bayern, but a team should be built that plays for him.”
Do you believe in fourth place and are you more afraid of Como (currently ahead by 3 points) or Roma for the Champions League?
“Both. Como deserves many compliments: a beautiful team, unfortunately without Italians… Fabregas makes the team play in a spectacular way. I believe in Juve, until the end: the head will count above all. For the Scudetto I still say Inter, it is the strongest squad. I take this opportunity to send a message to Gattuso in view of Bosnia: ‘Azzurri, humility, determination and respect'”.
“Like everyone. But if a black cat passes on the street, I not only cross but also hug it: they are my passion. I’m a cat lover.”
And for a woman, what is the biggest crazy thing she has done?
“Let’s dispel a myth, I’m a calm guy: I only did crazy things with my wives, Michelle and Marica. Crazy in a good way…”.
If you were a child again, would you still want to be a singer or a footballer?
“Always the singer. For a character like mine it is the ideal job, or rather passion. A continuous challenge.”
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