For the young talents column in Group I of Serie D, today we interviewed Diego Zuppelstriker ofAcireale who since his arrival in January has done well for his above-average performances and support for the team with many goals. Diego was born on November 1st 2002 in Montepulciano and despite his young age he has already had the opportunity to perform on important stages such as the Serie C with Messina, Arezzo and Francavilla. For him also several call-ups with Spezia coached by Thiago Motta. 1.94 m central striker, explosiveness and progression are some of his best characteristics for a player who will certainly be talked about a lot. The interview:
“Diego Zuppel, striker born in 2002 for Acireale. Your career began in the youth team of Perugia, then Arezzo in Serie C (15 appearances, 2 goals), Primavera of Spezia, last season Messina in Serie C (24 appearances, 1 goal) This year you start at Francavilla with 16 appearances and then move to Acireale where you collect over 10 appearances and 7 goals. Tell us a little about yourself and your experiences. I started my career in Perugia, in the youth sector. I stayed until Spring, where I spent a year, before deciding to move to Arezzo. In this team I managed to score about ten goals for the last Spring season, but unfortunately everything was interrupted due to Covid. The following year I was immediately called up for training camp with the first team, making my debut in Salò against Feralpi. Subsequently there was a change of coach and I started playing more regularly. In the first three games I scored two goals and made an assist, but unfortunately I got injured and was out of action for three months. Then I moved to Spezia, arriving directly in Serie A, but I wasn’t ready and I couldn’t find space. The following year I played for Messina, but unfortunately it didn’t go well. Even though I played, I didn’t have the continuity I wanted and I couldn’t find mental balance. Subsequently I moved to Francavilla, but I arrived late and out of shape. Even though I had been training on my own all summer, it was too late and I had trouble integrating into the team. At that point I lost a bit of motivation. Then in January I made the decision to make a change and chose to play for Acireale: it was the right choice I could have made.”
“With Acireale you immediately enchanted everyone, including the fans. How do you consider your season from the beginning with Virtus Francavilla and this wonderful final with Acireale? With Acireale I found a great feeling: fans, team, pitch. All. It was the best thing, they made me feel important. I felt like a fundamental player, and this helped me a lot. But I must say that the first part of the season helped me to grow, not to give up, even psychologically: if I hadn’t gone through that dark period, I wouldn’t have been able to get back into the game like I did here in Acireale.”
“Over 50 appearances in Serie C, this is your first experience in Serie D. What is the difference between the two championships? After these excellent performances, do you think you deserve Serie C again? The differences between C and D on a technical level are many, of course, but they are not as marked as one might think: there is simply a different physical preparation and perhaps a different mentality. In Serie C, more importance is given to details and you are followed more. The work is not limited to the field, but also includes the off-field aspect. Game times are slightly shorter. In Serie D there are fewer automatic mechanisms, while in Serie C there is a little more tactical development. However, I repeat, the differences are not that obvious. For next year I will evaluate, I will observe. I’m convinced I can play in Serie C, but we’ll see what the future holds.”
“You are a very physical central striker, have you always played in this role? What are your main characteristics and what are the ones you would like to improve? I have always been a central striker. My main qualities are physical strength and shooting. And then, despite my height, I have good progression, a good stride, even in speed when I manage to get off the ball. I have to improve my aerial game and my header a lot.”
“Who has been helping you the most since the beginning of your career? How is your relationship with your teammates, the staff and the Acireale team? My family always helped me. When I was little, my father took me to the field, traveling half an hour, then waited for training and brought me home. Then as I gradually grew up I started to be more independent, with the means. In Arezzo, in fact, I did everything quickly to hurry up. My family, however, even amidst a thousand difficulties, has never made me lack anything. Here in Acireale the relationship with my teammates is fantastic, and also with the staff. All very good people. I have a wonderful relationship, both work and human. The square is fantastic, I found crazy people. Even off the pitch. It’s fun to go out when they stop you. Acireale is really beautiful.”
“Who is your idol? What is your dream? My idol has always been Ibrahimovic: his character, his mentality. My dream is to play at the highest level, and maybe even win some titles, not only personally, but also as a team.”
(Photo source: Davide De Maida)
