|
|
|
|
Alberto Gilardino: Striking sensation
He is the most sought-after striker of the moment and it seems that without him Milan cannot challenge for the Scudetto, Parma can’t get points and Marcello Lippi’s Italy struggle to win. Dominique Antognoni talks to Alberto Gilardino
|
|
 |
 |
Thinking about it carefully, exactly a year ago this lad was Adriano’s understudy and nothing more. He tried, as he freely admits, to leave in search of more consistent first team football. Football lives and dies on moments that can change a season, for better or worse.
A month before the January transfer window opens, Alberto is practically a Rossoneri player, although the newspapers had predicted a move only from next summer. Hernan Crespo’s poor form, Jon Dahl Tomasson’s struggle and Pippo Inzaghi’s operation drove the directors crazy: “We cannot continue like this, especially after the second half against Roma proved how ineffective this team can be without Andriy Shevchenko,” they warned.
Alberto sat back in his armchair to watch the match, not knowing quite who to cheer on. He should have joined Cesare Prandelli at Roma this summer as a replacement for Vincenzo Montella, while he will probably be going to Milan, sooner or later.
Alberto, who did you support?
If I have to be perfectly honest, Roma. I’ve never seen one club suffer so many misfortunes in a few months. I tried to put myself in their shoes and wonder how they can possibly be relaxed and concentrated. One day your Coach leaves due to a personal matter, the next Antonio Cassano goes nuts, then another tactician resigns, the best defender is always injured and they can’t play in front of the home fans in the Champions’ League. I cheered them on because at least with a result at the San Siro they could be lifted by the enthusiasm of it.
What do you think of Cassano?
He’s a strange sort. His tantrums can annoy some people, but on the pitch he’s phenomenal. If you accept him as he is or let him go elsewhere, it really won’t change his attitude.
I suppose it’s none of your business, seeing as you’re to partner Sheva?
I’m sorry to give you the usual cliché, but I am a Parma player and if I’m still here that means that all those clubs supposedly interested in me weren’t that serious.
It’s claimed Milan already have a deal for you.
Today I am a Parma player. A year ago the newspapers all said I was already a Juventus signing, yet where did I end the campaign?
But that’s because Adriano got injured and they had to keep you. Now the situation is different.
Why would Parma want to sell me to Milan in January? There is no agreement.
We’ll find out soon. What do you think of Shevchenko?
He is simply the best that there is. Then afterwards I’d put David Trezeguet and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
And what of Adriano?
He exists in a category all of his own. In terms of pure strength he’s beyond everyone, like an alien.
Stronger than you?
I only score goals but Adriano, like Kaka, is not just a centre forward. There are different aspects to their game.
Speaking of your goals, nowadays you seem to score from all angles.
I realised that if you shoot at every opportunity then sooner or later the ball goes in. Seeing as scoring boosts your confidence, if you’re feeling good then you’ll have even more attempts and score a greater number of goals. I do that as much as possible, even when I’m not in an ideal position.
You’ve scored more than most this year.
I’ve almost lost count! But I want to do even better this year. At the start of the season I didn’t hit the target for a month and everyone said I was over-rated. There has to be balance in the Press, as it’s incredible that a month earlier they all criticised Giovanni Trapattoni for not bringing me to Euro 2004, then the same ones said I wasn’t good enough to start for Lippi’s Italy.
How did you experience that dry month?
It didn’t weigh down on me too much, especially as it didn’t last very long. After all, I broke my duck in Week 4 at the San Siro, so it was hardly a massive wait. Of course I was upset when I didn’t score, but I nonetheless believe I played well in those early games, as I work hard for the team and often play with my back to the goal to get the squad moving forward.
Is it true that a striker who doesn’t score suffers withdrawal symptoms?
I suppose it is, you just have to remind yourself it will pass and that all forwards, including Marco Van Basten, Sheva and Inzaghi, have spells like that. I remember how hard I worked to get here in the past, sitting on the bench or even in the stands, so that reassures me.
Parma’s first win against Lazio was dedicated to Prandelli. How come?
We all agreed on that, including Coach Silvio Baldini. Prandelli gave a lot to Parma and with the problems he has to deal with at the moment it was the least we could do.
Prandelli was a key figure in your career.
Without him, I could well be somewhere else right now. When the first team choices were Adrian Mutu and Adriano I was correctly left on the bench, because they combined brilliantly. I wanted a loan move to get more first team football, but Prandelli convinced me to stay and put his faith in me. The day when Adriano got injured, I came on and scored for a 3-2 win at Brescia. That gave me the confidence to stay.
What was your best goal of the year?
The one at the San Siro against Inter, then the goal at Palermo and finally against Lazio at the Stadio Tardini.
What do you think of the Azzurri?
It’s fantastic to know that great champions are also wonderful people, something I didn’t expect. Fabio Cannavaro publicly defended me against the Press criticism when I didn’t score for two games in a row.
Could Parma be relegated?
Absolutely not. I think we could even win something this year, such as the UEFA Cup. However, first we must get the points to ensure a comfortable campaign in Serie A, as we knew this would be a transitional season full of struggles.
What is Baldini like?
He’s very down to earth and fiery. He says things to your face, which is what I’ve always admired.
Now you are famous and play for Italy, your life has changed completely in the space of 12 months. Have you changed?
From the outside everything has changed, but do you know something? Two days ago I received a letter from my friends in my hometown Biella. They wrote that I’m the same kid from when we were together as 15-year-olds. It is truly the greatest compliment I have ever received.
|
|
| Interviewed: December 2004 |
|
| <More Interviews> |
|
|
