The former Granata goalkeeper: “Alberto is amazing, when the opportunity came he was ready. Baroni understood what Toro’s difficulties were and is overcoming them, in the derby I saw a good team”
He seems to have exhausted the bouquet of compliments, because – at a certain point – Stefano Sorrentino almost no longer finds the words to praise the incredible rise of Alberto Paleari. From an all-time number 1 (Sorrentino) to a recently discovered number 1 (Paleari) the step is fascinating. And when the coronation comes from a colleague who has been a reference since the nineties it is worth more. “Alberto is a goalkeeper who has worked his way up: he is a great worker, he has incredible humility, he is very applied and intelligent. This is Alberto Paleari, a spectacular boy, someone as good as pie. I am very happy, but I have to pull his ears…”.
“Because every time we see each other, we repeat ‘let’s go to dinner, let’s go to dinner’. But we’ve never gone: our family commitments, rightly, take over.”
Sorrentino, but how is it possible that only at 33 years of age does Serie A discover such a strong goalkeeper capable of scoring four sensational matches?
“It can happen, football reserves these surprises. Alberto is part of the older generation of goalkeepers, the one for whom work comes first. He is a lover of work: it helped him to be ready. He found himself in the right place at the right time, when the opportunity arose at Toro he made the most of it. Alberto is a good example for young people, for those who still believe in dreams to be realized through work, seriousness and consistency.”
After Genoa, Baroni’s confirmation was not obvious: did the coach do the right thing?
“I’m of the opinion that there must be hierarchies, when I was in goal I wanted to play friendly matches too. But it’s true that when you have the possibility to choose it’s right to reward those who are better. And at the moment Alberto is very well: Baroni did well, among other things I like him a lot as a person. He seems like a white fly in football for his way of being and for his humanity.”
Taurus finds itself with two number 1s: is it a value?
“With good management, yes. He becomes a value. Israel is a goalkeeper who on paper could be strong, he has to prove it. But Alberto passed him: today he has become the owner and I believe it will be right to continue with this hierarchy.”
What do you like most about Baroni’s management?
“He has a great knowledge of football, he is a coach with many ideas. He understood where Toro had difficulties, and also thanks to his personality he is proving that he can have his say.”
Tameze, Lazaro, Pedersen, Ilic, Paleari…: Baroni makes everyone protagonists. What does it mean?
“That there are no obvious hierarchies and those who are strong play. Toro has a rich and fairly homogeneous squad in terms of values, and this helps in the choices. Here the great work of the coach emerges from a mental point of view, because they are all involved in the project.”
What feeling did the derby leave you with?
“I liked the Granatas: Juve created but so did Toro, with Adams they could have won. They were compact, united, didn’t act like a chain and had personality: a derby like this strengthens the group. A new path has begun: it’s on the right track.”
What will be the next growth step?
“I think it will happen when Anjorin and Zapata find good form: they are two who will be able to give a lot. Yes, this year Toro can have fun.”
What inspires Adams-Simeone?
“It’s a slightly anomalous pairing because physically they are similar, but they work very well. Simeone surprised me with how he settled in straight away, Adams is confirming himself. It’s a great attack, Baroni had great intuition in building the team around this pairing.”
Paleari aside, who is surprising you the most?
“I say Casadei, because he is going from being a great promise to a man who is finding his dimension as a footballer. He is taking off.”
Do you like Ilic as a director?
“I like Ivan a lot: the director could be the role where he can have his say. You can tell he likes it, I even saw him laugh a little more. A good sign.”
Who do you expect more from?
“Maybe from Vlasic, the captain. His performances are always good, but he can shift the balance so I expect him to become more decisive.”
We will start again with Toro-Como: how do you imagine it?
“It’s the most difficult match that could have happened at the restart, but it will be a good test. It will be a good match, to be enjoyed. I’m sure of one thing: Toro will sell their lives dearly, with everyone.”
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