He had already felt the joy of conquering Serie A with the Venezia shirt twenty-six years ago. 1997-98 Serie B football championship, at the time there were no play-offs, the top four rose, the lagoon players led by Walter Novellino finished second. Mauro Zironelli from Vicenza played in that team, the striker was Stefan Schwoch. Zironelli wore that jersey for three and a half years and he has only good memories of that period.
Having hung up his shoes, the former Thiene midfielder immediately embarked on a coaching career and recently concluded the Serie D championship as coach of San Marzano, home of the tomato. He followed and rejoiced on Sunday 2 June for the conquest of Serie A at the Penzo stadium where he played with Alvaro Recoba.
Zironelli, did you expect this from Venice in Serie A?
“He has a good team, solid play and a good coach. As an ex I’m happy. However, Cremonese and Catanzaro are also strong. They have always been at the top, I thought there was a psychological backlash after the defeats in Catanzaro and La Spezia. Instead they reacted very well.”
And what do you remember about your victory in the last century?
“We came second at the time there were no play offs, there were strong teams like Empoli and Salernitana. It was still a tournament full of dangers and interminable.”
Zironelli, what do you like about Paolo Vanoli’s game?
“Physical, intense team, defends and attacks well. They play with double striker Pojanpalo and Gytkjaer. A very proactive collective that richly deserves promotion. Catanzaro and Cremonese are also of an excellent level, but Venezia has more intensity and came out at the right time.”
How did you play in your day?
“With Novellino the 4-4-2 was implemented with Cossato the advanced playmaker and Schwoch attacking in depth. There were Bresciano or Marangon on the outside plus Pollesel. We almost played with 4 strikers, a very offensive team. there was quality ahead.”
Zironelli, how should we move to stay in Serie A?
“Last time they had too many foreigners and for Zanetti there was difficulty in communicating. I hope they remember this difficulty and focus on the Italians. I don’t know if Vanoli remains, who did very well, Torino’s call is very strong for anyone. The next coach could have the elements to lay the foundations for playing a quiet championship.”
Who is the player who impressed him the most? And what impressed him most in Venice at the end of the nineties?
“Pojanpalo is a bit of an emblem, a driving force. It’s important that they struggled without him, and when he was out they were missed. Here Schowch finalized everything and it is no coincidence that he then went to Naples and Turin. A nice and exuberant boy. You could give him something on a behavioral level, then he would make you win matches.”
Zironelli, after 26 years who would bring this Venice to theirs?
“Pojanpalo without a shadow of a doubt would play with Novellino. Lifetime. Newbie was concrete, he knew how to win championships. Like Vanoli who is determined. They both put solid teams on the field and know how to make them play.”
