I let it simmer. «Panta, let’s talk tomorrow afternoon, it’s better for everyone. If I report even just part of your two audios and they’ll come and get us”. I had never heard him so pissed off: after Spalletti’s press conference, Pantaleo Corvino, 74 years old, 49 as a sports director, was beside himself with rage. Around 3:30 pm yesterday – he was in Rimini, a guest at the event organized by Master Group – I called him back. His mood was the same as the day before, the tone a little more urbane. «Mine is a cry of pain. In all the broadcasts they highlight the result of our Primavera, the eleven foreigners, as if we were the absolute evil, the origin of the failure of the National team. Are we joking? Me the spreader? This demonization of Lecce is an insult to intelligence. I am not the spreader and ours is a model that should be followed».
Explaining this to people is not easy, especially today.
“He (…) spoke about a lack of intensity. But who is supposed to give the team intensity? Six years ago Conte, who also had players who played backwards, showed us something different. Unlike others, I don’t want to blame anyone, I’m not interested and it doesn’t lead to anything good. In football, as in life, mistakes are made and those who make mistakes must not blame others, but take responsibility for the error. And eventually, if they deem it appropriate, ask for forgiveness.”
It is clear that you are referring to Spalletti.
«That in Germany he didn’t do the Spalletti we know and respect. It can happen, of course. He only had nine months to enter a new role, that of manager. We can’t know what he found. The point is another, too many things are forgotten…».
Which ones, for example?
“Lecce in Serie A has three players who come from the Primavera, and they are three starters. Falcone, Baschirotto, Piccoli, Gallo and Sansone are Italian. Lecce cannot afford Italians due to excessive costs. I have to defend our work, the club, the territory. Do we want to talk about local talents?”
