He was the last Taranto coach who was the protagonist of the play offs on the Ionian bench. It was the 2011-12 season and the Serie B dream was shattered with Pro Vercelli. Davide Dionigi gives himself to the microphones of GiornaleRossoblù.it to talk about Taranto and the regular season that has just ended with a hint of nostalgia for the past. Here are his words:
On Taranto’s season: ”It was an important season in which Taranto expressed, in my opinion, good football, certainly organized football like that of Capuano. But this year, I’m honest, I also saw very proactive football, Taranto played excellent matches. So, a highly positive season and above all Taranto needed it after the last few years because, since I left, these levels have no longer been reached. So great credit to the club, especially to the coach, who has brought the environment back together and above all has recreated enthusiasm in a square that thrives on all this.”
On the Taranto fans: “A splendid group of fans. I remember that they also knew how to stay close to us in times of difficulty. They always encouraged us. It’s a fascinating crowd, a crowd that also pushes you to go further. Then I also experienced it as a footballer. We lived moments of difficulty where we also suffered protests but always in a constructive way. It would have really been nice to give away the B after more than 20 years. But fate wanted it that way and it must be accepted.
On the similarities between this team and his: “The similarity that immediately comes to mind is certainly the soul, the heart, the fighting spirit albeit with different interpreters and with something slightly different tactically. But it is a Taranto that certainly offers play, it is a Taranto that has done entertain the fans like mine did, so there are many similarities. Then it is normal that in the details, each coach has his own idea, he has his own variables. Then let’s not forget that this Taranto team also had to suffer some penalty points. without the penalty points, we would have finished first and Taranto would have finished second this year. It was an immense pain because I think it was a path born from Rome, an important union was created from the unfortunate semi-final at Flaminio. let’s be honest, the following year we broke all the records and therefore seeing ourselves slip out of Serie B due to a 7-point penalty was a blow to the heart.”
On his return to Taranto: ”I have always said that I had a good time in Taranto. I have always said that one day I would like to return to complete a work. Then, as in all things, the will is always there, we need to see if things match up with my idea of football, with what I want to do. But in Taranto they were also the years in which my children grew up when they were very young. So I had a great time and I have so many friends that I only have good memories.”
