“Happy with Parma’s promotion. I’d like to stay, but some evaluations will have to be made”

The crusader goalkeeper Filippo Rinaldi, this year on loan at Olbia, gave a long interview to the Centotrentuno.com website, commenting on both the season just passed, which saw the Sardinian team’s relegation to Serie D, and his immediate future. This is an excerpt:

Let’s talk about your season: it almost seems like a paradox that in a year that was totally forgotten for the team, your performance was always positive, so much so that you were probably the only one “to save” in the general darkness.
“It’s nice to hear these words. Last summer, once I decided that I would go and play on loan from Parma, I was looking for a team that could give me continuity of employment, because I knew it would be an important season for me. I spoke with the director I have to thank Tatti who immediately made me feel great confidence in myself because he made me feel wanted by Olbia. Furthermore, I think I also put my best foot forward, with positive performances: of course, I could have done better because my team I scored goals, but I played 34 games and I’m happy with the consistency. If I did well it’s thanks to the club, my teammates and above all the fans, especially those at Curva Mare, because they put me in the best conditions to do it. We can always do better, but I wanted to have a good season for these colors and for this place.”

Under 21 chapter: the call-up of players who play in Serie C is not trivial. What was it like representing Olbia with the blue shirt?
“For me it was an unexpected call, even though I had a career in the national team up to the Under 19s. Then for two years I was never called up, plus the list mainly included players from Serie A and B so to a greater extent I didn’t expect to be included in the group, but it was all unexpected. But what everyone says is that the national team is the icing on the cake made during the year ‘year – Leandro Greco, Marco Gaburro and Oberdan Biagioni – together with the goalkeeping coach Fabrizio Martellotta and my teammates who made this possible.”

Chapter Parma, which just a few days ago celebrated its early return to Serie A. Obligatory question: do you hope to have a chance in the first team after this season?
“First of all, I’m very happy that Parma is back in Serie A. It’s a club that works very well, having trained with them last summer I can say that it was clear why they were the favorites for promotion. As far as I’m concerned, I have a contract with them, I will go back there to understand together with the club what the best solution will be. It is obvious that I would like to stay in Serie A, but the right evaluations will have to be made to understand the path to take. Then if it isn’t this year. maybe it will be next.”

They have often compared you to Buffon: has this comparison weighed on you? Who are your role models for the goalkeeper role and where do you think you still need to improve?
“After the preparation I did with him, being paired with him can only be an honor for me. It will be a memory that I will always carry with me, this pairing was a source of pride for me. As models I say Vicario and Ramsdale, given that I like the Premier so much League. Vicario has made an enviable journey and in some ways, especially in the first steps of his career, I can see myself in it a bit. I think he is the Arsenal goalkeeper that I still have a lot to do and that this is also the beauty of this sport when you are young. Definitely the approach from the bottom and the play with the feet, which is becoming almost as important as blocking, together with the high exits. But I will work hard on it.” .

What are the expectations for Filippo Rinaldi’s future?
“Definitely continue to improve, but above all play a lot. Because for a goalkeeper, matches are even more important than training sessions. We’ll see in the summer where and at what level: I’d certainly like to have another championship of 34/35 matches. As for the Under 21 I will also be able to be called up next season, I will now continue to train in Parma hoping to be part of the team that will participate in the Toulon Tournament.”