The captain of Ligorna, a club with 104 years of history but no professional league appearances, talks about his battle with the disease: “It was a tough blow, but my family and the club were there for me. When I was young, I played for Gasp’s Genoa, and that foul on Borriello…“
Paolo Scannapieco played his most important game off the field: ”Three years ago, I was diagnosed with malignant cancer of the parotid gland. It was a hard blow. The doctors decided to operate immediately, but fortunately, the disease had not metastasized. After three weeks, I was already fighting in defense.” Born in 1997, he is the captain of Ligorna, Genoa’s third team, which dreams of a historic promotion to the professional league. The team coached by Matteo Pastorino leads Serie D Group A with 59 points, one point ahead of second-placed Vado. On Sunday, there is the derby against their rivals: “It’s an important game, but we’ll play without pressure. At the beginning of the season, we didn’t expect to be fighting for the top spot. In 104 years of history, the club has never managed to reach Serie C. We are living a fairy tale, enjoying every moment of this championship.” Having come through the Genoa youth system, in 2015 Scannapieco was also called up by then-Genoa coach Gian Piero Gasperini for the away game at the Olimpico against Roma: “I didn’t make my debut, but it was an incredible feeling. De Rossi, Nainggolan, and Dzeko were there. I asked Salah for his shirt, and it’s still on display in my living room.“
Why did you choose to talk about your illness only now?
”I still find it difficult to talk about it. Many of my teammates didn’t know what I had been through. It’s a personal, sensitive issue, and I needed time. Three years ago, as today, I preferred not to focus attention on myself. The only thing that matters is the team.“
That’s why he returned to play immediately after his operation in January 2023.
”The doctors advised me to be careful and wear a protective helmet. I followed my instincts. The operation lasted over four hours, and the disease did not damage any other organs. So I avoided having to undergo a long course of treatment. I was lucky.“
Were you afraid of having to give up soccer?
”Not for a second. My only goal was to get back on the field to help Ligorna. My partner and my whole family never left me alone. The club was always by my side too. I didn’t give up. Now I’m fine, I have checkups every six months. The important thing is to always find the strength to fight back.”
His story is the best example.
“I grew up in the Genoa youth academy, and in my last year in the Primavera with coach Stellini, I was the captain. In 2015, Gasperini often called me up for first-team training sessions. There were Burdisso, Izzo, Borriello, Perotti, Pinilla, and Pandev. It was an incredible group.“
Any anecdotes from that experience?
”Once, during a training match, I tackled Borriello and hit his leg. He turned around and gave me a dirty look. Then everything was resolved at the end of the session. Ansaldi, on the other hand, was the most helpful. When we were flying to Rome, he invited me to sit next to him and listen to some music. I didn’t even have a pair of headphones.“
Your career has always been in Serie D.
”I was hoping for a chance among the professionals, but unfortunately, I never got it. I moved around a lot: Virtus Bergamo, Pavia, Imperia.”
The president of Inveruno offered me a job: in the morning I assembled motherboards for computers, in the afternoon I trained.
Paolo Scannapieco
He had to roll up his sleeves.
“When I was at Inveruno, the president offered me a job as a laborer. In the morning, I assembled motherboards for computers, and in the afternoon, I trained. And on the weekend, I took to the field. Even today, in the summer, I supplement my income by refueling boats and yachts moored at the port of Loano.“
He continues to live in Loano, in the province of Savona, despite his daily commitments with Ligorna.
”I go to Genoa every day by train. At the station, the club shuttle takes me to training.“
He has been wearing the blue and white club jersey since 2021 and has been the team captain for three years. You have only lost three games this season: what is the secret?
”The unity of the group. We get on well together, both on and off the field. There’s great understanding, and at least once a month we all get together for dinner. We have a lot of young guys who sweat for the jersey, and in December we also got an experienced striker like Vuthaj.”
The goal is to achieve a historic promotion to Serie C.
“In 104 years, Ligorna has never played among the professionals. It would be an incredible achievement. The excellent championship is the result of the extraordinary work of the club led by President Saracco.”
Genoa’s third team dreams of making the leap to the professional ranks.
“There are still eight games to go, it’s a long road. Right now, we’re focused on this Sunday’s derby with Vado.”
It’s not likely to happen, but if it does, how will you celebrate?
“My partner Anna and I are getting married in June. Winning Serie C would be the icing on the wedding cake.”
