The former Palermo striker Firmino Elia, who played for the Rosanero in the 1999/2000 season (from January), making 12 appearances and scoring 5 goals, and in the 2000/2001 season in which he took the field 31 times creating 11 goals, he was interviewed exclusively by TuttoPalermo.net, where he spoke about various topics.
What championship was Palermo’s?
“It was a championship that perhaps Palermo didn’t deserve due to the squad they had. In fact, I considered Palermo among the favorite teams for the final victory. Many former footballers were also disappointed, as was Moris Carrozzieri who lives near me. Palermo definitely had to do something more with the squad they had.”
Can Palermo now no longer make mistakes also for the many fans who have always demonstrated their attachment to the shirt that set the season record?
“The Palermo fans are the most important in Italy, they are always close to the team both at home and away from home. Palermo deserves Serie A, a serious program that makes the leap in category that must be achieved. The club must definitely do something more. They spent a lot of money, but they now have to evaluate everything in detail to build a winning team.”
Palermo conceded too many goals during the season, has Fabio Lucioni’s absence been felt?
“Yes, Lucioni is a coach on the pitch so his absence was felt: he is a quality player who manages the defense. Championships are won with the defense and not with the attackers, because if you don’t score, sooner or later you can find a goal.”
Should Palermo try to win Serie B or, if it doesn’t go well, finish second?
“The club has to roll up its sleeves and do something more important, because there will be many clubs that will fight for promotion to Serie A. We have to sign players who make the leap in quality, otherwise everything will become difficult. Sassuolo, Bari for example, just as many others will want to return to Serie A”.
As a former striker, what is your opinion on Matteo Luigi Brunori, a player who scored 17 goals in the past season, the second best striker in Palermo’s history?
“Brunori has scored 38 goals in two years and if you want to send a signal to the championship, even if he is sought after by Serie A teams like Empoli, the club will have to lock him down to demonstrate its strength and confirm its desire to create a team that can play a great championship.”
In Serie A, Inter won the championship, Juventus the Italian Cup and Atalanta the Europa League, which championship was it?
“I think it wasn’t a great championship, although Inter won, perhaps early, they didn’t play well. I only enjoyed the teams who fought to maintain their category, playing everything until the end of the season. tournament. Atalanta was an Italian pride, we all cheered for the Italian team. When you have to cheer for an Italian team, it’s a club that started from afar and has achieved something important with coach Gasperini. They reacted after the defeat in the Italian Cup against Juventus.
How did you see Massimiliano Allegri’s dismissal?
“Surely Allegri gave him an assist. In my opinion it was all written down by the Juventus club. Allegri knew it and then he blurted out, I think this was it. There was certainly already an agreement with Thiago Motta.”
What do you feel like saying to the many Rosanero fans who are following us?
“The Palermo fans are extraordinary, I always carry them in my heart. They have always been close to the team. Palermo reached the play-offs, which is always an important objective, but being a big club they always want the best. It’s easy to play at Palermo, you need the attributes. The club must give a signal, there are several important teams next season, then Frosinone and Sassuolo will want to return to Serie A immediately, then Bari will also try. Palermo must intervene immediately and not in January.
How much would you have liked to see Salvatore Elia still wearing the rosanero jersey?
“He was doing well and was happy in Palermo, 10 games, 3 goals and 4/5 assists. He was in good form, then what we know happened. Now he had a great championship at Spezia. Then in the future you can never know”.
Tell the many fans who are following us what Firmino is doing now…
“Now I coach very young people and students, two categories of Giulianova, with the very young I got the play-offs to win the championship. while mid-table with the students. I would like to thank: Federico Caprioli (the President), Domenico Costantino, Antonio Serena , Beppe Giglio, former footballer and my second Gianni Rizzuti, where with him we achieved some really important goals. By training the boys with 5 training sessions a week we really achieved a lot of satisfaction.”
What do you feel like telling the fans?
“I wish all the fans that next year they will be able to get great satisfaction; for one I can say that Palermo is always in my heart.”
