The charter flight that brought Catanzaro home from Brescia Montichiari after the defeat of “Zini” landed at three in the morning at the Lamezia Terme airport. What arrived, as is easily understandable, were disappointed faces: eyes with still vivid images of the black evening in Cremona which cost them elimination from the playoffs in the semi-finals, ears still inside the loud music blasted from the speakers at the end of the Lombard stadium, less deafening stuff than the four to one imposed in the match by Vazquez, Buonaiuto, Coda, Sernicola and company singing. Dejected faces, logically demoralized by a heavy epilogue. However, we are also aware of the greatness and beauty of the journey undertaken in recent months: a sporting undertaking in all respects that leaves very few regrets along the way and sows more than one hope for the future.
FROM APPLAUSE – Catanzaro was great, that must be said. He easily achieved the goal of salvation that he had set for himself at the beginning of the season, then round after round he was able to move the bar one meter at a time further, arriving in April almost to glimpse the podium and in May – sensationally – to compete the cards for the one hundred and eighty minutes decisive for promotion to Serie A. In the midst of immense satisfactions – such as the double success in the derbies or the victory on the field of the league leaders – filled as has become habit for two years now with broken records, canceled taboos and scenes of uncontainable enthusiasm in the city and in the stands throughout Italy. The most beautiful expression of the game in the entire Serie B: a concentration of freshness and innovation in an asphyxiated football system in which small teams often struggle to emerge overshadowed by the more powerful means of the big teams. What a lesson from Iemmello and his companions and from Vivarini before them. What a beautiful story written by a company that has gone from neophyte to protagonist in the space of a handful of years, combining sustainability with ideas and with this mix becoming a model for everyone.
TO THE FUTURE – A solid foundation on which to build and this is precisely what we need to do now, trying to give continuity to the project and where possible also raise the bar to relaunch the challenge. Vivarini has ended up in the sights of several big players – Sassuolo above all – and it will be important to lock him down; even the framework of the pitch will not be able to do without some heavy confirmation and equally important adjustments in the market. However, all of this will be talked about with a cool head when the long faces and the echo of the “Zini” defeat have passed. Today in Giovino a resumption of greetings was staged while waiting for other programs to be drawn up. The applause of the fans in Cremona and the late-night welcome upon returning to “Sant’Eufemia” could be followed by another hug before breaking ranks.
