At the age of 17 Alberto Gilardino joined Piacenza and scored three goals in 17 Serie A appearances. The following year he joined Verona where he stayed for two seasons making 39 appearances and scoring five times. Not a bad record, but not a true indication of the player he was to become at Parma either.
In his first season with the Gialloblu, Gilardino spent much of his time on the bench as understudy to the prolific pairing of Adriano and Adrian Mutu. The following year he was again meant to be the Brazilian’s understudy, but when Adriano picked up an injury and was subsequently sold back to Inter in January 2004, Gila took centre stage.
By the end of the season Parma’s young hotshot had amassed 23 goals - including four in the last game of the season against Udinese - falling just one behind Capocannoniere Andriy Shevchenko. By the end of the summer Gilardino had also won the Under-21 European Championships and a bronze medal at the Olympics. Now part of Marcello Lippi’s senior Italy squad, it looks like Gila is set for a great future in Italian football.
Alberto, you exploded on to the scene last year with 23 goals. This term you have already grabbed 16 in 30 games. You must be pleased.
Last season was terrific for me. I may have scored 23 goals but there was also the creation of a group capable of supporting me and helping me to score. At Parma I feel very comfortable playing with my teammates who are always out there to feed me passes.
Which defenders do you find most difficult to come up against?
Alessandro Nesta and Fabio Cannavaro. But also the not so well-known young defenders at the smaller clubs cause me a lot of difficulty because in Italy defenders are all very fit and tactically aware so I can’t name one I can go past with ease.
When did you realise you were a natural-born-striker?
Since I was very little I felt at ease in the box and had an inclination for scoring.
Why didn’t Juventus and Milan pick you when you were a kid yet are now both willing to pay millions for your services?
It was just by chance. I ended up in Piacenza and I cut my teeth there during the days when Simone Inzaghi was the main striker.
Who were your childhood idols?
Mainly strikers. Marco Van Basten and Gabriel Batistuta, but I also liked Michel Platini a lot.
You have always had a good relationship with the Azzurri jersey - you wore it first aged 15 and then all the way to the national side.
To me it is a dream come true to play for Italy. I am always so proud to wear the blue jersey.
You spoke very well of your national teammate Antonio Cassano, calling him a football genius.
At 22 Antonio has done things that you don’t see mature players do. He is a major talent and I am so glad I can play alongside him and Francesco Totti in the Italian team.
Parma fans don’t have a history of violence, but that isn’t the case for other Italian teams. What measures do you think should be taken to prevent violence in the stadia?
England has set an example of how to deal with violence, I am afraid that the measures applied in Britain may not work over here, however, as things have always been a bit different in the peninsula.
In which League would you like to play if not Serie A?
From what I know about other Leagues I would like to play in Spain.
Should Italy qualify for Germany 2006, which team would you fear the most?
Above all Brazil. They have got incredible talent and experience, Then there are England and France if they qualify.
Italy seems to have a good group of players who get on well.
We have the right mix of young and experienced players and so far we have been working rather well on creating a squad of good value.
Both you and Cassano were born in July 1982 when Italy won their third and last World Cup. Have you ever seen any of that legendary team’s matches?
I watched Italy-Brazil with my father and I was amazed by how good that team was in terms of individual technical qualities and the ability to control the game.
Who do you see as a winner of the Champions League?
I don’t think you can look past Milan or Chelsea, but Liverpool managed to beat Juventus so you never know.
Parma Coach Pietro Carmignani joins the conversation
Mr Carmignani, why is Gilardino is so good?
Alberto is strong, fast and quick over short distances. He is good in the air, at shooting and keeping the ball. He also gives a hand to his teammates in midfield if necessary. He is a player who possesses all the features a Coach wants to find in a leading striker.
In your opinion, who does he resemble?
Although right now it might sound strange I think Gilardino may end up resembling Van Basten.
What do you think of Lippi’s decision to create a sort of ‘second team’ in the national side?
I think it is a good decision because back in my day you had talented players who never had the chance to show their skills at international level. Now if a player is good enough he may have more than just one chance to show the Coach he can be part of the group.
Should more be done to eliminate violence from our stadia?
We have to face this problem. We must be more serene with the referees and above all we have to take responsibility for the way we behave.
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