Andrea Zaccagno, former Torino goalkeeper: “Vanoli is obsessive and pays attention to details. He works at high intensity and is the right one for Toro”
Andrea Zaccagno, goalkeeper born in 1997, Toro fans remember him well. In fact, with Moreno Longo’s Primavera of Torino he won the category championship. In a period in which there is talk of Vanoli for the Granata bench, Zaccagno, who with him was the protagonist of the Under 19 European Championship with Italy when the coach was coach, has outlined a profile of the coach.
What type of coach is Vanoli?
“A few years have passed since that 2016 European Championship with the Under 19s. I believe that he has evolved first and foremost. Unlike many coaches I have had, there is one thing that struck me about him: the intensity during training. We had a two-week retreat with him before the European Championship. He was very obsessive in his attention to detail. In defensive drills, he likes to take care of all aspects. He encourages a lot and likes being on the pitch. He always stimulates through voice and gestures. I remember this feeling very well, he is a coach who gives you a lot. He keeps your spirits up and pushes you to improve. Very very prepared.”
Is this the right coach for Toro?
“Surely. This year I followed from afar, but despite the ups and downs it was a positive year. The Bull has come close to Europe. However, it is never easy to coach a team like Torino. The market is very hot: there is demand and pressure. But Vanoli, both temperamentally and technically, is the right one for Torino at the moment.”
Any anecdotes about him?
“He tends to scream a lot on the pitch. In the exercises on the bottom exit, even if we had exited well, if the intensity was low he made us repeat. He kept both the starters and the reserves on track. Then he is young: he is easy going and makes you have fun.”
How do you work with young people?
“When I did the European Championship, there were Locatelli and Cutrone who were ’98. He often bumped the 98s up with the ’97s. He doesn’t look at the identity card: he looks at who can give their best in that moment. He has always had an eye for young people. He can do a good job on this too in Turin.”
What season do you expect for Toro?
“The squad is important. Until the end of this year she could go to Europe. Then he always traveled on the left side of the table. Juric had reached a somewhat stagnant point. Despite everything he did well, but perhaps he no longer felt trusted by the club. But with the arrival of Vanoli, who is fresh air, and a few more players, it could be a beautiful season for Torino.”
