So Carasso, does the 6th place finish satisfy you?
«In our opinion we had a team that could have finished from 4th to 6th place and given the terrible start, I would say that we are in line with expectations».
Five months after the change of technical leadership, what has changed on a technical level?
«Everything, there has been a complete turning point: in the way of playing, in the valorization of the players who have significantly improved their performance. And we had a triumphant ride towards sixth place with a high percentage in terms of victories.”
Did you hear from Ferrari after his dismissal?
“No. But Mattia’s exemption must be explained well.”
Where do we start?
«Since last summer. I made a mistake, that of starting the season with Ferrari. For me it had finished its cycle in Rimini, despite coming from a good season. And I speak above all on a technical level, because Mattia had the great merit of understanding and sharing the values of our reality, he spoke our language, he also got involved off the pitch, bringing the name and philosophy of Rebirth “.
So why did he keep it?
«I gave in to the pressure of my collaborators who wanted to continue with Ferrari, so we all started building the new team together, all the purchases were shared with him. But the facts said that it was my mistake to confirm it because I was immediately certain that I had identified the team’s problems.”
Was last place in the rankings the toughest moment in Rinascita’s recent history?
«Maybe yes, but in those days we saw the great strength and unity of the company which always kept the bar straight. The Board of Directors was lively, combative, present, uncaring, it gave me unconditional trust, it reiterated to me that I could do everything I thought was right to resolve the situation.”
But is it true that someone wanted to change the players?
«Yes, but I have never considered this hypothesis. Because I believe in their technical qualities and I appreciated their human ones: even in the most delicate moments they never looked for alibis, they never passed the responsibility onto their teammates, on the contrary they took it on themselves. They passed on important values to us which then emerged with a new technical organization.”
Were you afraid that the fans would abandon you?
«No and we got the answer straight away. The hoops people remained close to us, Simone Campanati and his team took care of the rest and created the match as a truly total sporting event. Sometimes the value of this figure is not emphasized enough, it is not obvious that the Flaminio is almost always full.”
Let’s go back to November: how many coaches did you interview?
«Two, Sacco and Dell’Agnello. They both made an excellent impression on us.”
Why Lamb?
«I wanted clear hierarchies within the team and he told me he would give them. I wanted there to be defensive rules on the pitch and he told me it would take time but he would sort out the defence. I asked for intensity in the game and he reminded me that his teams had never lacked it. And he concluded with ‘then you’re looking for me’.”
So sign up and first training right?
«But, while Sacco would have signed until the end of the season, Sandro wanted a two-year contract and that was where the negotiation stalled. When I called him he was already on the highway. I told him that I would think about it for a few hours, asking him to do the same, because that was the only obstacle. We updated at 9 in the morning and he told me: let’s do two years, but if I get relegated or you’re not happy with me, we’ll say goodbye at the end of the season.”
If RivieraBanca leaves with Rieti, what season will it become?
“We won’t lose.”
Why this security?
«Aside from the unforeseen events, hoping to have already given with the injuries, we have a 50% chance of making it. Our advantage can be to confirm the basketball we are showing. This team has everything to eliminate Rieti.”
And then what happens?
«We would have that lightness that could allow us to reach the final. Now the team is mature, even in difficult moments it always finds the solution to get out of it and in the play-offs this is fundamental.”
How is the discussion about your possible management of the Flaminio going?
«Thanks to our honorary president Giove Boldrini we are making great progress and we have met the availability of the municipal administration. And I conclude by saying that we have a great surprise planned.”
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