Riccardo Calafioridefender of Bologna, gave an interview to Cronache di Spogliatoio to talk about many topics, starting with the relationship with Daniel De Rossi, now coach of Roma: “In his last year as a player an important bond was formed. We spent a lot of time together, I never expected it. If I think back to those days, when we were in the car together: it was almost a dream for me. He accompanied me home and took me to Trigoria, I don’t know what went through his mind to do this with me. He certainly saw that I was in a difficult moment, given that it was the period in which I was injured since I was a good guy and he helped me in this sense. Even afterwards, for any important decision I heard his opinion. The other week we met in the field and it was very strange, but he’s doing well too and I hope it continues like this. On the day of the retreat, when he goes around the field the last person he hugs is me: I burst into tears, I couldn’t do it. It was too emotional for me. Then I didn’t want him to stop the following year I would return and train with him in the first team. Instead he then went to Boca.”
What did the injury mean to you and who was close to you?
“Balzaretti was the first to come to the hospital after the knee injury. They brought me the shirt signed by the entire first team and I was only 16 years old. This lifted my spirits a lot. In the first days, for what they had given me the doctors said, I had lost a bit of faith. Then when we decided that I would have the operation in the United States, I always thought it would end well.”
Tell us about your experience at Basel.
“That choice was 20% mine and 80% the result of necessity. It was the last day of the transfer market and it was the only opportunity I had. Once I arrived I noticed the atmosphere there and the serenity with which he could play This is because at 18-19 you may not be ready for pressure, especially if you grow up in a big club like me in Roma. I had never played 10 games in a row before that moment, in Basel I played 20, 30 : this makes the difference. If I watch the matches in the Swiss championship now I say that the level is different, but when you’re actually there there’s a lot of intensity, a lot of changes in front, little tactics. So even on a physical level it’s very training The facilities are excellent, despite being a lower category.”
