CREMONA – It was a Sunday on 25 September 2011 when in the 87th minute Riccardo Bocalon he pushed the ball to make it 3-1 at Garilli for Cremonese’s victory in the derby against Piacenza. One of the goals that made him enter the hearts of the Grigiorossi fans. For him that Serie C season was the only one with the Cremonese shirt, with 18 matches and 3 goals to his credit. Many more were played in the Venezia uniform (the team from his city): 112 for 34 goals. He is the 35-year-old forward who is this week’s double ex.
How is it going?
“Well. I play for Renate in Serie C and last week we achieved salvation. I came running and scored 6 goals. Not bad”.
Venezia-Cremonese is played. What do you think?
«A complicated match between two of the best teams in the category. It would be a great playoff final. The truth is that Venezia still aims to reach direct Serie A, Cremonese has more of a gap but in Serie B nothing is ever taken for granted. The grey-reds are a battleship, Venezia has built a high-level team. They are two teams that play football, that don’t just focus on counterattacks but on building. I think it will be a great match.”
Memories?
«With Cremonese I lived six intense months. The goal in the derby against Piacenza is the best memory, I know how heartfelt it is for the fans. I would have gladly stayed, but at the end of the year the club informed me that I was one of the few players to have a market and therefore I was sold. It was a nice experience. With Venezia it was obviously different. Let’s talk about my city’s team. I got two promotions from C2 to C1 and from B to A. I played over a hundred games. It’s clear that I have a particular affection, but Cremonese has also remained in my heart.”
Do you think Parma and Como are unattainable?
“I do not believe. Como remains closer and there is enthusiasm in both Venice and Cremona. It is clear that Vanoli’s team is closer and has more possibilities. But this is a championship where no one ever gives up. Regardless, we need to fight until the end to obtain the best possible placement also from a playoff perspective.”
She has won several. The secret?
«First of all you need to have the advantage of the ranking which allows you to save some energy. Above all, to have that bit of luck in the right period. I remember the year of promotion with Venezia, Lecce missed a penalty with Mancuso at the end and everything was easier. Objectively, however, you always need to be fully concentrated. In fact it is a second championship, often the teams that come back prove to be the most brilliant.”
The two strongest men in Venice and Cremonese?
«I speak as a striker and naturally I say Joel Pohjanpalo and Massimo Coda. The Finn has been in Italy for two years and is proving to be an incredible striker. Coda is one of those tips that always makes the difference in the category. He has many promotions behind him, he always knows what to do. I’m just sorry that he had few opportunities in Serie A. He would have deserved them.”
The attacker is always at center stage.
«It’s true, but it’s true that goals are only scored thanks to teammates…”.
