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Gianluca Comotto: Gianluca.com
Torino may have struggled for form this term, but the same cannot be said about Gianluca Comotto. Lapo Novellini spoke exclusively to the man hoping to make a splash on the international stage
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You scored for Torino during the centennial match against Empoli – what did you feel when in the very last minute the ball ended up in the top left corner of the goal?
I have always gone for goal, even if I am a defender. In the game against Empoli I was the captain, I couldn’t stand to think that we wouldn’t win that game so I just went for a dribble and it was almost like someone told me to shoot! As soon as I kicked the ball I knew it was going to be a goal.
This season you have delivered some outstanding performances, gaining plenty of plaudits in the Press. What do you feel has changed?
We have been playing a 3-5-2 this season and I have been free to run up and down the right flank like when I was playing at Vicenza in 2000-01. You can definitely say that I am an offensive-minded defender, even though I must sincerely say that I am a better defender now than some years ago.
You have never received an international call, but now it seems like Roberto Donadoni could give you a chance. Do you feel like the time has come?
In my role I have some tough competition, like Massimo Oddo or Christian Panucci, a player that I personally got to know during my spell at Roma and who I consider an example. I feel like I can be one of the three options there for Donadoni. Of course, being called up for the Azzurri, the world champions, would fulfil my wildest dream. I would wear the Azzurri jersey with pride, like I wear Torino’s.
Toro have been going through a tough spell. What has been the problem?
We should all be concentrating more in games. At times lately, too often, we have become unfocused and in Serie A even a 10 second lapse can mean a goal scored by the opposition.
You wrote on your personal website – www.gianlucacomotto.it – a very meaningful statement after the tragedy that happened in Catania. Do you think Italian football can still save itself from destruction?
Yes, I believe that the majority of fans are good, and even among the Ultras not all are destroyers or rioters, so things can change. I believe the English League is the model we should all look at. I have only played a friendly with Vicenza against Charlton Athletic at The Valley, but I was very impressed by the atmosphere and by how the fans behaved. I always watch the Premier League on TV, more than La Liga or other European Leagues and I do hope that Italy could become similar very soon.
Could TV shows be used to educated the fans?
They could show highlights of the games like defensive tackles, tricks and outstanding saves instead of the butcher-like fouls, head-butts and refereeing mistakes. Yes, people are keen to hear the verbal arguments about the big talking points, but TV should definitely show more of the good stuff rather than the bad things. Kids should be left alone when playing in their teens. At times some youth games look like a Champions League Final. I used to play in the streets when I was a kid, now there is too much pressure. I hope that could all change soon.
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| Interviewed: March 2007 |
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