Today’s edition of “La Gazzetta dello Sport” reports an interview granted by Massimo Cellino, who takes stock of Brescia’s future plans.
The number one of the Lombard club, a year ago, in these times, was furious at the relegation to Serie C, avoided only thanks to Reggina’s mess. «Misfortunes are quickly forgotten. Today I just hope to go on holiday, I’ve been trying for three years…” Morale has changed, as have perspectives. Maybe he found the right solution.
Maran and sporting director Castagnini?
«Special people, we help each other. Maran is not like the others: he is a company man, I like him, he transmits enthusiasm and energy. If he misses it, I’ll take care of it. And if there are two of us down, Castagnini will take care of it.”
I have been in Brescia for 7 years.
«And 33 as president. Does he know something? My colleagues don’t understand anything about football. I pay everything regularly and the others make the arrangements. Does not exist”.
Let’s go back to Brescia. Are you prouder of the 2019 promotion to Serie A or of the new sports centre?
«I don’t even remember the promotion… The following year there was Covid, it was tough in Brescia, only now I see a bit of light. The players didn’t want to come because the sports center wasn’t there. To convince them we put the rendering on the site, but they wanted to see it and we were still sowing the grass… We had to take our time. Now we are at the forefront: we don’t need to invest in salaries, but in structures.”
Do you buy the stadium?
“I can not afford it. I spent millions refitting it, now it’s decent. I look far ahead, the potential here is enormous: with more support, more fans and sponsors, the team would represent the city better.”
Instead the curve disputes.
«I’m Sardinian, they’re from Brescia: two hard heads. If I’m wrong, I apologize, I was unfairly treated badly. I would like to always win, if I lose I’m ashamed. It seems too much to be insulted. Here the fans hurt me. Education is wrong, today what matters is having a healthy society. Ours are decent kids: threatening them like a year ago only causes harm.”
You bought Borrelli back for 3.5 million, but he puts his foot down. What happens?
«The players are poorly managed by the agents and are slow to grow. He is a valuable player and he hasn’t told us he wants to leave. He is the highest paid in Brescia and I am waiting for him. Tonali listened to me, let him do the same: he has nothing to do with B, I made a sacrifice, now he has to take us to A and think big”
What reinforcements are you looking for?
«We are strong. We don’t sell anyone. We took the Dutch midfielder Verreth and the Australian winger Buhagiar, we bought Borrelli, Dickmann, Jallow, Galazzi and Besaggio. We are looking for two players before the retreat, because in the retreat the team must be made.”
It will be a B with fewer squadrons…
«Como was lucky: we gave them football lessons. Parma and Venezia deserved it, Cremonese also deserved it. Now watch out for Palermo and Spezia, or Pisa and perhaps Cesena. Whoever gets relegated will struggle: it will be a more balanced tournament, therefore more difficult.”
And the TV rights case?
«Broadcasters tend to save money, yet the audience is excellent. As an entrepreneur I say: I’m ready to buy them myself.”
Tell Balata.
«He did a great job. I used to argue about it, now he defends his League like no one else.”
