Interview with the amaranth sports director: “We are beyond expectations, now let’s have fun. It’s a delicate match against Juventus also because there are no fans: without the curve it’s different but I respect its coherence. The coach rotates because he has a broad vision of the group, he wants to keep everyone on edge and the results prove him right. The young people have grown up, Pattarello is worth more today than he was in January. Within twenty days we will table the programmatic lines for the next season with the president and Giovannini”
The first season as sporting director could end with the sweet epilogue of the playoffs, a result that has gradually become more concrete as the days have passed and the team’s performance has grown. Nello Cutoloafter a year as club manager, he changed clothes, working side by side with the general manager Paolo Giovannini.
The playoffs seem within reach now. How to manage this phase of enthusiasm without risking going overboard?
There is no danger, inside the locker room there is euphoria but also great balance. We’re fine physically and mentally, we just have to ride the wave and have fun. We don’t even know where we can get to.
Juventus Next Gen is on Saturday. Is it stronger or weaker than the first leg?
He’s stronger: some guys have improved, they brought in Sekulov who is very good. And Arezzo has never won against them in the past. I still played, it always went badly. We hope to dispel the taboo as happened against Pineto.
What are your thoughts on the B teams and the protest of the fans who will desert the stadium?
The second teams offer a high level growth path for the players, this is undeniable. For Juve and Atalanta, having an under 23 team in the Lega Pro is an advantage. For the football movement in general, however, I have many doubts. The C series thrives on popular passion, which the B teams don’t have. In seven years only two have registered, not to mention that playing in deserted stadiums like in Alessandria is a slap in the face to the image of the tournament. In my opinion, something needs to be revised.
And the fans?
I’m sorry they’re left out. They give great support, it’s not rhetorical, and when they’re not there everything is different. But I respect their consistency.
The assistant coach of Juventus Next Gen is Mirko Conte. What memories do you have of him?
When I arrived in Arezzo for the first time, in 2005, Conte and Carrozzieri formed a formidable pair of defenders. Conte was the captain, good on the pitch and a point of reference off it. We are in contact, I will gladly see him again on Saturday.
Have you ever had a coach in your career who used turnover as massively as the Indians?
No. But he has a broad vision of the group, he wants to keep everyone on edge and he is succeeding. The results prove him right, there is little to object to, also because the boys are professional, united and it shows on the pitch.
Why was Castiglia the only one left out of the rotations and how is captain Settembrini experiencing this complicated period?
Introduction: we are talking about two footballers with above-average intelligence and culture. Castiglia has played little, it’s true, but inside the locker room he is fundamental for the attitude and professionalism that he demonstrates. Settembrini is the captain and he knows that in football there are good and less good moments. Now, also for tactical reasons, he has reduced the playing time. But he will find his spaces again, it’s in the logic of things.
Catanese, one of the January signings, is an attacking midfielder, a 4231 winger, a midfielder, a 433 midfielder: what do you say?
Its history and its path tell us that it is perfect for the 433. But it has the great gift of being flexible and therefore knows how to adapt to multiple systems. Sunday proved it.
Indiani said that the young man who has improved the most, at least in the last period, is Gaddini. Do you agree?
He has undoubtedly made giant strides, also because he had been affected by injuries for months. But I say he can do much, much more. I would add Damiani, who brilliantly overcame the impact of the category. Overall, we are happy with all our boys, including Trombini who plays in a delicate role.
Is there anyone who surprised you in a positive way?
I mention an over and that is Guccione. We never had any doubts about his qualities, he was good at immersing himself in a new context, understanding the coach’s needs to the point of pushing him to change the game system. Today he is making a difference.
Coccia, Donati, Mawuli, Renzi are on loan. Is the company’s idea to try to retain them all?
That’s the basic idea. They are young, they are quality, we respect them. We will shortly take stock, I believe that within twenty days we will put the programmatic lines for the next season on the table with the president and with Giovannini.
Is Pattarello worth more or less today than in January?
It’s worth more. He scored 2 more goals, he is playing well, he has made an important step compared to Serie D. It being understood that he can and must smooth out some defects, broadening his strengths.
In a positive season there were also some additions that didn’t perform as expected, Kozak for example. What didn’t work?
Libor arrived out of condition and was never able to fully find it because he always played little, within a technical and tactical context in which he was unable to fit in. It can happen. How can it happen that someone like Iori asks to be sold to have more space. In Arezzo no one can expect to always play for the reasons we explained before.
Forte del Sestri Levante was one step away from coming to Arezzo in January. Is it still a goal?
It was a concrete objective, I confirm this. If it will be so in the future, we will decide it together with everything else. He is certainly a player with obvious qualities.
Indians has a contract until 2025. Is his confirmation a given, is it linked to the season finale or will it depend on the plans you plan for the future?
I’ve been in football all my life and I’ve learned one thing: beyond the contract, what matters is the comparison with the owners at the end of the season. If the projects coincide and we are on the same line, we move forward. Otherwise a solution will be found. I also signed up until 2025 and it works the same way for me too. The team’s performance this year has certainly gone beyond expectations: thanks to the hard core of 14 players we confirmed and the work of the Indians.
