Italy is restless thinking about Switzerland which, despite being bordering, it is not Croatia or even San Marino. Since it’s the most discussed topic, for a change I’ll say that our next opponent is scary. Especially that guy with the belly that I won’t name because I’m in an apotropaic trance. What’s particularly worrying is the fact that three good “Bolognese” players are playing there – Aebischer, Ndoye e Freuler – but I am happy to know that many readers, mindful of that prophecy come true with the miraculous “Calafiori-Zaccagni goals”, however, suggest thinking about “Cala” ignoring the fact that tomorrow he will unfortunately be on the bench, disqualified. It’s not a terquequaterque gamble but a “Come on Riccardo!” good luck for the quarterfinals. At that point we would suggest to Spalletti – finally less touchy – how to best use Calafiori, like – I quote the thoughts of a fan who was both VIP and anonymous: «He doesn’t have to play full back but play in front of the defense and closer to the midline, because he is good at overcoming the man with his progression and restarting the action (see Zaccagni’s goal). He intelligently occupies the empty spaces. He reminds me of Juve’s Davids and Roma’s Falcao. Spalletti wants quick restarts…».
One detail is missing: even if it is not by Ballabio, Calafiori means trust. We might as well – speaking of words spoken days ago – give meaning to the eve with a return to the usual concreteness. How to deal with the Red Cross? I swear that I haven’t asked myself a question like this for about seventy years, since the days of Hugo Koblet who won Giri and Tour by combing his hair and Ferdi Kubler who beat Bartali with just his nose. Cyclists, of course. Yes, I also covered Swiss football, but not seriously, due to Gyula Giulio Lelovic who every now and then returned nostalgically from Zurich to Bologna – he had coached the rossoblù several times from ’30 to ’52 – came to visit the stadium and with a Hungarian (radiant, imperial) smile shouted «Have you seen Grasshopper?!?!». General consensus: who cares. Returning to serious matters, given that Spallettone has recovered Il Sole (and 24 Ore) and is willing to accept the Bonipertian principle of winning etc., I dare to suggest not only the confirmation of the 3-5-2– Nouveau Verrou by Karl Rappan – already respected leader of Switzerland, master of the great Ottavio Barbieri, Gipo Viani, Nereo Rocco and Annibale Frossi – but something more effective: a modest but revolutionary and practical module, Fabio Capello’s 9-1… Seeing is believing.
