The coach from the training camp in Folgaria: “Ebosse is still top notch. I see Bernede as a playmaker, Giovane has great technique.”

Continuity is the common thread between Verona and Paolo Zanetti. This is Hellas’ seventh consecutive season in Serie A. For the coach, this confirmation, which seems natural today, has been through a very complicated process. “I knew that in order to stay, we had to achieve an important sporting result such as survival,” explains the coach from the training camp in Folgaria, “which we achieved with merit and a lot of hard work. I have always said that it is a privilege to be here. I am very excited to continue with this group of people whom I know well and who have established concepts and are already ahead in some respects, even if there will probably be some new faces.”

It will be the first championship that the new US ownership will be able to manage from the start.

“From a technical point of view, we have an experienced sporting director who keeps things on track, and that’s what matters most to us. Being coordinated was the secret to last year’s success, and it must continue to be so. Then you can already see changes, the club is working to improve many things, such as the sports center, and is showing us that it wants to do so in the time it takes.”

The fans also feel this climate of confidence: did you expect so many people there in Folgaria, at the training camp?

“Yes, because the people of Verona are special, they fill the stadium even when the team is in Serie C or D. All the more so after an exciting, albeit difficult, escape from relegation. It’s great here because it’s the first real moment where we are truly in contact with our fans. It’s also a golden opportunity for the new players to absorb all this positive energy.“

You sold Coppola and Ghilardi, two important players, and the financial offers were also important. Was it you who developed their value?

”Well, Ghilardi not yet… However, yes, it’s an important part of my role to create assets that guarantee continuity for the club’s project. It’s normal that in our modus operandi some good young players may leave, also because it’s right not to deny them important opportunities, provided, of course, that the offers are commensurate with their value. The credit therefore always goes to the club that takes the players, to them for what they do on the pitch, and to me for training them. It’s an assembly line to achieve a valuable product.”

And you’re also doing well in the transfer market.

“We’ve lost several players through transfers, loans, and expired contracts, including some of last year’s stalwarts. We’re trying to make the right choices, in a prudent manner because we can’t spend crazy money. In this sense, sporting director Sogliano gives us ample guarantees and has proven this many times. The latest arrivals, Yellu Santiago and Unai Nuñez, are quality players.”

Speaking of new players, Ebosse seems like he’s been playing with you forever.

“He’s very intelligent and doesn’t get flustered on the ball. He’s been unlucky, coming off three cruciate ligament injuries, but he’s still playing for Verona. That means he had the potential to play for a top club. He gives us the experience we need so much.” 

Oyegoke is also doing well as a right-back.

“I’m trying to specialize him, partly out of necessity. He can play both as a fifth and third defender. He has good physical qualities, he needs to improve on some tactical aspects but he has great potential. And anyway, the intuition is thanks to Sogliano…”

Bernede seems to be working well.

“He’s perfect for the role, he has quality and composure, but he can also play in the middle if we decide to change the formation. At the moment, we’re working between 3-5-2 and 3-4-2-1.” 

You’re counting on Suslov and Montipò, right?

“Of course. They are being talked about in the transfer market like others, and that is a source of pride; it means that we did well last year. But now they are here, focused, and have not asked to leave. The transfer market is unpredictable, but as long as they are with us, I want them to be 100% focused on Verona.”

Last year, a few more goals from the strikers would have helped you secure safety earlier. Are you expecting the arrival of a potentially prolific striker?

“Mosquera scored five goals in his first year; Sarr, who had never scored before, scored four. And we had a player with the potential to score double figures in Tengstedt, who was stopped by injuries. Today we’ve signed Giovane, who has already shown above-average technical quality. He’s used to playing out wide but is working more inside the box. We need to see how he develops; he can play either as one of two strikers or up front on his own. But the most important thing is that last year we didn’t rely on one player; we were among the teams with the most goalscorers. The concept of teamwork must be fundamental again this year.”