Discovering a protagonist of Serie B ’23/24.
Italian football has been in a crisis of strikers (for years now) but in Serie B there are those who try to break the rule, even attracting the (media) attention of Luciano Spalletti. We are talking about Gennaro Tutino, striker for Cosenza; or rather, the hero of Cosenza. Born in 1996, Tutino has only touched Serie A during his career (6 appearances with Verona in the ’19/20 season), and people have often talked more about his character than his qualities.
In the Calabrian city, however, he managed to amaze everyone, finding his dimension and becoming a real football and city reference. This year he contributed heavily to Cosenza’s salvation, achieved with three days to spare, and he did so by putting his teammates on his shoulders and creating 20 goals in 35 games. Data that crowned him as the most prolific Italian striker between Serie A and Serie B.
«I love Cosenza and its fans. There is a strong bond between the city and the fans and even those who live outside maintain a visceral bond with the team». This is how Tutino talks to us about his relationship with the Calabrian city, a heartfelt choice that led him to receive an honor from the mayor and which finally led to his redemption by the Calabrian club, exercised on 14 June, albeit “without consulting me or the player”, as reported by agent Giuffredi. While waiting to understand where Tutino will play next year, now ripe for the definitive leap, a journey into the heart of a footballer who found in his “second home” the energy and determination to be reborn.
Hi Gennaro, this was the year of your consecration. With the Cosenza shirt you scored 20 goals, your record among professionals. A salvation that bears your name and performances that also attracted the interest of Luciano Spalletti, who already knew you well. How does all this make you feel?
I’m really satisfied with this season, I share the goal record with my teammates who have put me in a position to do well and be able to take advantage of what the team has built. I’m proud that Mister Spalletti spoke about me. He is the coach of the national team and the coach who brought the championship back to Napoli. As a Neapolitan and Napoli fan I couldn’t be more proud.
But it is Is it true that your mother wanted you to be a dancer? And that for a period you divided yourself between football and dance?
It wasn’t my mother’s wish – she smiles –, it was a passion of mine and from seven to ten years old I divided my time between it football and dancethen I had to decide and the greatest passion prevailed.
You were born in Naples, raised in its province and for years you played in the club’s youth team. How attached are you to these places? And what does that “too special” city that is Naples represent for you?
I am very attached to Naples and fan. I’ve been playing outside for a few years but my roots are those and will always be those for me and my family.
Speaking of places, if you were to talk to someone who doesn’t know about Cosenza, how would you describe it to them? What city is it and how do you find it?
Cosenza is a city worth getting to know, there is everything you need, many services, excellent for families who can live peacefully and for students, in fact there is one of the best universities. It’s great, the sea and the mountains are twenty minutes away. Alone Who does not know her may have prejudices.
Cosenza is historically famous for its warm and passionate cheering. Can you feel this push on the field and in the city?
Cosenza is a city that lives on football, with a passionate fans and very attached to the team. At home and away we are driven by their warmth and passion. In the North I realize that many people from Cosenza are there, they are very attached to their origins and support us together with the many who leave from Cosenza. I really like this look.
Ten years ago you went on loan from Napoli to Vicenza, but were unable to make your debut due to a cruciate injury, can you confirm that? How has Gennaro Tutino changed since then, as a footballer and as a man?
It seems like yesterday but ten years have already passed, that was an unfortunate experience for me because I broke my cruciate and it was a major stop. I was 18… in January I changed teams. However, the injuries strengthened me, it happened in Carrara too and everything helped me grow and understand this world better.
Coming to the footballer, what didn’t work in past experiences? Sometimes we talked more about your character than your performances…
I won the Championship with Salernitana, gaining promotion to Serie A, three very positive years in Cosenza, four times in double figures… and I’m still 27 years old. In some contexts, other players also didn’t perform at their best, it’s a question of years, roles, condition.
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Nureyev, the greatest Russian dancer ever, said that “10% is talent, the rest is perseverance”. Today a footballer, even more than in the past, must be a 360 degree professional. For example, how do you work on preparation and mental stability? And if you had to give percentages, what would you say?
I think like him, perhaps in football talent is worth at least 20/25%, the rest is mental and physical preparation. I don’t have a mental coach. I am a believer, I read the Bible and I find the answers I’m looking for. I train a lot and I am calm and aware of my qualities, today more than ever.
In Italy you played in Serie A, Serie B, Serie C. What are the main differences you noticed between the three levels of Italian football?
There is a big technical gap between series C and B, not so much a physical one. In A there is a technical and physical gap, especially if you play with the big teams who have strong players and superior “natural” characteristics, of the highest level.
Looking to the future, what are your goals and ambitions in football? Is there anything you haven’t accomplished yet that you would like to achieve in your career?
I miss the success in Serie A where I had a small interlude. It’s normal that I would like to compete with the top flight, which is the dream of all children who start playing football. I would like to do everything I can in my career to not one day, looking back, have gods regrets.
We thank the Lega Serie B for its availability and intercession, with whom we have agreed on a format of interviews with the MVPs of the month of the BKT Series
