On the eve of the big match, the Polish champion talks about his connection to the two cities and the two clubs. From his relationship with Agnelli and Viola to the future of Dybala and Soulé: “Champions can always play together. But the real genius is Gasperini.”
In Turin, they called him the Handsome One at Night. In fact, it was Gianni Agnelli, the man who made Juventus history, who called him that. In the capital, on the other hand, he had a very deep relationship with Dino Viola, the engineer who removed the label of “Rometta” from Roma. Zibì Boniek understood immediately that Juve and Roma were in his destiny, back in 1982 when he became a Bianconero after signing for the Giallorossi. But at the time in Poland, transfers were decided by the Minister of Sport, and the formula proposed by the Bianconeri was more attractive than that of the Giallorossi. Boniek thus ended up at Juventus, where in three years he won everything (the Scudetto, the Coppa Italia, the Cup Winners’ Cup, the European Cup, and the European Super Cup). He then moved to Rome, where he won only one Italian Cup but “where I still live today, because this city has stolen my heart. Obviously, I feel a little more attached to Roma, but I also enjoyed my time at Juventus. They have both been very important clubs in my career.”
Two clubs that will face each other once again tomorrow…
“Gasperini is doing an extraordinary job, almost surprising in some ways. I don’t think many people at the start of the season could have imagined such a good start for Roma. Gasperini is tough, honest, he makes everyone work the same way and doesn’t hide behind faces or comments. On the other hand, Spalletti has only recently taken the helm, but it seems to me that he is already steering the ship in the right direction. He is a very ambitious coach, but even though it’s Juve, this is a team without any real star players. The only one perhaps is Yildiz, who seems destined for a bright future. He can become a top player, you just have to see how he touches the ball, how he caresses it.”
But should Juventus and Roma just focus on qualifying for the Champions League, or can they aim even higher, for the Scudetto?
“Dreaming is never forbidden, and it doesn’t cost anything. Especially in Rome, where miracles happen every thirty years… But we also have to be realistic, the others seem better equipped, I’m talking about Napoli, Milan, and Inter. In short, the Scudetto for Roma would be a miracle, while Juventus has strong players, but not champions. The important thing, however, is to fight, then maybe you can finish second or third. Or even fourth, which is worth the Champions League. In general, though, you must never leave anything on the field. They have three competitions, and the big teams aim to do well everywhere.“
What is surprising you about Gasperini?
”There’s a quote of his that struck me and that I really liked, when he said that playing so many games allowed him to correct things and also to improve. In a game where all coaches are used to complaining about the number of games, he has changed his mindset. It’s as if he said to the team: ‘We are strong, we have substitutes, we just have to play’. And he has revitalized players who seemed forgotten: Celik looks like the Cafu of Ankara, Hermoso is now a key defender, when only ten months ago he was seen as a problem.”
What still ties you to Juventus today?
“Many things, starting with memories and victories. I’m just sorry that some people in Turin still see me as an ‘enemy’. The star being removed? I’ve talked about it many times. In those three years, I gave everything I could to Juventus and I think I left something important behind. But, above all, I never said anything offensive about the Bianconeri.“ Tomorrow will also be a special challenge for Soulé and Dybala, who have enjoyed many years and special experiences with Juventus. ”Soulé is becoming fundamental, even if he needs to broaden his range of play. But he has an important left foot. Dybala’s quality is undisputed, but we always have to see how he is doing. The surprising thing is that Roma are up there, three points off the top, without having been able to count on their strongest player almost ever. Can they play together? Of course they can, strong players can always coexist. It’s clear that to see them together, we also have to worry about the defensive phase, we have to participate in that too.”
Dybala and Pellegrini’s contracts are expiring. Would you renew them?
“That’s a problem for Massara, not me. However, I think they are two different issues. Paulo is too important, but he has to guarantee at least 80% of the games. If he’s only playing at half strength, it becomes a problem and also creates some discomfort for the coach. I’d like Pellegrini to stay, without going to seek his fortune elsewhere. He has quality, and it shows, but the physical issue applies to him too. If he’s fit, that’s fine. I used to see him on the ground a lot, but now he seems to be holding up better in challenges.”
Could tomorrow be a decisive match?
“It’s still early days, we’re not even at the end of the first half of the season. Of course, Juventus need to win to get back into contention and not fall behind. Since Spalletti arrived, it seems to me that they’re working better, even in terms of concentration and application. Since the beginning of the year, however, I haven’t seen Juventus play really well, even though they remain a difficult team to face.“
And if Roma were to win?
”Well, then Rome would really start dreaming again. Also because Gasperini would put a gap between himself and Juve, with a seven-point lead. Roma’s secret is Gasperini, a pure guy who tells it like it is. Even as a player, I always preferred people like that to those who smiled at you and then talked behind your back. Players appreciate that kind of thing. And in the end, it’s the things that matter…”.
