A predestined, but also a hard worker: this is how the young goalkeeper from Benevento took over the scene and, at sixteen, is preparing for a great future. Also in blue…
There is a phrase from Aristotle that constantly recurs in high school philosophy books: “Youth is easily deceived because it is quick to hope.” Alessandro will have read these words dozens of times while studying for the questions. The great Greek thinker is one of his favorite authors, yet the boy often stops to think about what he reads in the texts. He has always believed in hope: it is precisely what kept him going in the difficult years of the pandemic. When he was little more than a child, he left home at 13 to chase a dream. Today Nunziante is Benevento’s third goalkeeper, behind two experienced teammates like Paleari and Manfredini. Last October 4th, coach Andreoletti put his trust in him and started him in the Coppa Italia Serie C match against Giugliano: 1-1 in the 90th minute, 2-2 after extra time. The match continued until penalties. The goalkeeper born in 2007 saved Labriola’s shot, but in the end the opponents managed to get through. At 16 years, 6 months and 20 days, Nunziante became the first player in 2007 to make his debut for Benevento. At Ciro Vigorito, the whole family was there: mum, dad, brother and sister. They don’t miss Alessandro’s match, whether at home or away. They almost always follow him abroad during his commitments with the national team. The debut among the greats was a mixed joy for the goalkeeper: disappointed by the defeat, but still satisfied with the trust he received from the coach. He only found out that he would play an hour before the match, the technical staff wanted Alessandro to be calm. He didn’t disfigure himself, between the emotion of those who love him and his eyes were teary when he saw him put on his gloves and line up between the posts. Nunziante hasn’t always been a goalkeeper.