CHIETI. «I lived four wonderful years in Chieti. The best of my career. One day I hope to return.” Vincenzo Feola is the great ex of tomorrow’s match against Matese (3pm, live on the Rete8 website).
The former black-green full-back is the coach of the Campania team, already relegated to Eccellenza. Feola’s presence on the Matese bench is one of the most interesting reasons for a match, the last of the championship, which is worth more for the statistics than anything else. Not only for the green and whites, but also for Chieti, whose hopes of reaching the play offs are reduced to a sliver: we need a victory in Piedimonte Matese and hope that Roma City loses at home to the already relegated Vastogirardi and that Senigallia and Atletico Ascoli don’t win. For Feola, who made over 100 appearances and 9 goals for the neroverde from 1989 to 1993 and was among the protagonists of the promotion to C1 in 1990-1991, finding Chieti again, even if as an opponent, is always a special emotion. «Being part of the history of this company is a pride», says Feola. «We were a wonderful group with Morganti, Presicci, De Amicis, Pagliari, Sgherri. We still hear and see each other today. I had an extraordinary relationship with the late patron Mancaniello and Garzelli and I still have it with the city and the fans. I have many memories, one above all that goes beyond winning the championship. I came from a broken cruciate and the following year, in my first appearance after the injury, in a Cup match at the Angelini against Francavilla, I got up from the bench and heard a roar from the whole stadium applauding me. Creepy. Time has not erased an unforgettable experience.”
Today Feola, 56 years old, coaches Matese. He arrived in February when the ranking was already compromised. «I knew that the situation was difficult, but I accepted out of gratitude towards Piedimonte Matese», explains the former Neroverde full-back. «Here I studied for five years and it was the caretaker of the Piedimonte Matese field, 40 years ago, who took me to a trial with Casertana, who then took me and launched me. The team with me did even more than they could. Now I asked to close with dignity and at least save face. It’s a shame for Chieti because they don’t deserve to be in these categories. The D is a separate championship where only the first team wins. We need to have resources and planning.” Feola does not hide his desire to coach Chieti. «I would like it, of course», replies the Campania coach. «In the past there have been several meetings, the last one also in the first part of the season before Iezzo’s arrival. We’ll see in the future.” In Chieti the future is all to be written.
Giammarco Gardens
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