After the European Championships in Germany, Schio’s whistle is retired, tomorrow the 289th and final match in the top flight in the championship recovery
That final whistle that will be given tomorrow evening, at 8 o’clock or so, will be the last in Serie A for Daniele Orsato who will say goodbye forever with the championship recovery between Atalanta and Fiorentina. The final farewell after the European Championships in Germany but inevitable will be the emotion for the one who for decades – and still today – is considered the best Italian referee even if in the collective imagination of a part of the Italian fans (inter fans and Neapolitans above all) unfortunately he will be remembered more for the expulsion not given to Pjanic in Inter-Juventus than for his “prowess” in the field. But, as we know, it is the destiny of those who choose to be a referee.
The precedent for Rocchi’s farewell
It is unlikely that it will end like four years ago, when the current appointee Rocchi said goodbye. He refereed for the last time in Juve-Roma and there was a “guard of honour” on the pitch for the final whistle of his 263rd match in Serie A: “I thank Juve and Roma who made me live in a beautiful and unforgettable way a moment that I thought was sad – were Rocchi’s words to Sky -. Above all the tribute from the players, who are our first great judges. This was the best ending I could imagine. Leaving the camp is something that makes me feel bad, because the camp is life. But I think I’m retiring at the right time“.
Orsato’s tears after farewell to the Champions League
There was also a singular curtain with the tribute of the players (complete with personalized shirts and a final “foam” from Cuadrado resulting in a fake red card) which sparked some controversy but is unlikely to be repeated with Orsato. Let some tears escape, but it’s okayas also happened to him on his farewell to the Champions League after refereeing the semi-final between Real Madrid and Bayern.
It’s the end of an era, the last dance for Daniele Orsato, to his 289 management in the top Italian championship. Thus ends the career, at 48 years of age, of one of the most influential and representative figures of Italian football, who, thanks to his “English” direction and a strong temperament, also managed to establish himself on an international level, directing 54 matches in the Champions League (including the 2020 final), more than 20 matches in the Europa League, as well as 3 matches at Euro2020 and the same number at the Qatar 2022 World Championships. In 2020 he was named best referee in the world for that year by IFFHS, the body that deals with statistics and records in the history of football.
Will Orsato blow the whistle?
A few days ago, speaking to Sky Sport, he declared: “I think I will blow the whistle with the usual determination that has always distinguished me. I’ll give it my all, I’m really proud of what I’ve done and I’ll give my all until the end. A wonderful experience ends and I am proud of it, both for me and for my family. Future as referee designator? No, there’s only my family, my wife and my children. I don’t see anything else besides them. But first the European Championships. For me it is always an emotion and a pride to represent the Italian referees, It’s a huge responsibility. We’re more of a family than a team, so it was really exciting.”
