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Gianluca Pagliuca: ‘Keeping it clean
Dominique Antognoni talks to Bologna 'keeper Gianluca Pagliuca, an 18-year Serie A veteran and former Italy international
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It seems like Gianluca Pagliuca has been around for an eternity. Perhaps that’s an exaggeration, but 18 years for a footballer is certainly a long time. Taking in just three clubs across his extensive career - Bologna, Sampdoria and Inter - Pagliuca was also Italy’s No 1 and came close to winning the World Cup in 1994.
The years may have passed, but he’s still one of the top ‘keepers in Serie A and some might even say he has improved with age. Next year, assuming he’s still around, Pagliuca will surpass Dino Zoff’s record of 570 Serie A appearances. In fact the first game of the 2005-06 season will mark his 571st cap.
Who knows how much longer this remarkable ‘keeper will go on for? Aged 38, and with retirement looming, he’s just taking each game as it comes. “I hope to go on for as long as I can,” insists the shot-stopper. “For the moment I can continue. And I hope it’s always with Bologna.”
Gianluca, when you shook hands with Cagliari captain Gianfranco Zola before your Week 20 match, you were both laughing like crazy. What happened?
It was very funny. I asked him: ‘Are you still here?’ He shot back: ‘Look who’s talking!’ Then he tried to take off his glove to shake my hand, but I told him not to worry about it as at his age it was best to keep wrapped up warm.
After 18 years in the top flight you are one of the old men of Serie A.
That’s a lot, isn’t it? It all started in the Coppa Italia against Torino, but my real debut was a 0-0 draw with Pisa on May 8, 1988. I remember that Carlos Dunga was playing with Pisa and it was a very emotional moment for me.
Were you already a great ‘keeper then?
I guess so. At least that’s what everyone said. I was 21-years-old and Sampdoria President Paolo Mantovani had signed me from Bologna for £300,000, which was a lot of money at the time. I believed in myself, but I couldn’t imagine how well my career would go. Mind you, if you don’t have faith in your own abilities then you’re done for.
Belief is important, but you also need real talent.
That’s true. I was young, had a good physique, great eyesight and fast hands. It didn’t take long for me to become a regular in the first team. When I arrived at the club the No 1 was Guido Bistazzoni, but I took over fairly quickly. It took courage to make that decision and Sampdoria had it. Mantovani was very ambitious and was building a winning squad that I was a part of.
What’s the first thing that pops into your head when you think of Mantovani?
His eyes lighting up as he shook my hand and said: ‘Luca, you are like an insurance policy in that goal.’
You’ve worked with so many Coaches, which ones made the difference?
In alphabetical order Vujadin Boskov, Carlo Mazzone and Gigi Simoni.
Why?
Boskov believed in me, Simoni was in charge during the best period of my career and with Mazzone I was reborn.
How did he achieve that?
By speaking to me, building my confidence, underlining the responsibility I had and telling me to be an example for the young players.
Was it tough to make your mark on Bologna?
It certainly wasn’t easy. At the start they would jeer whenever I got the ball. I was in my hometown, the place where I was born and raised, so I admit that wasn’t a nice feeling. Some people thought my career was winding down, but I never lose my cool and slowly got back to my best.
What are your memories of the Champions’ League Final that Sampdoria lost to Barcelona?
It is one of the two games in my career that I have never quite recovered from. I still dream of playing it all over again and doing things differently.
What was the other?
That’s easy, the 1994 World Cup Final we lost on penalties. Being the second best team in the world is not quite the same thing as taking the title. The more time goes on, the more I realise what an opportunity we missed. It’s a shame that Roberto Baggio missed the penalty, as he was injured at the time.
What’s your opinion of Roby Baggio?
A splendid person and a world class talent. He never argues.
He had a few rows with Coaches.
That is not true. It’s quite simple in that both Baggio and Zola paid the price for the dictatorship of the 4-4-2 system.
Let’s discuss other greats you’ve played against - Diego Armando Maradona?
The best. He stepped on to the pitch and you immediately knew he could do damage.
Marco Van Basten?
I never struggled against him. If anything, he had the problems because he was being marked by Pietro Vierchowod.
Gabriel Batistuta?
He’s the most difficult opponent I have ever faced. He was like a devastating football animal, with such strength and instinct. I saw him and thought, that’s it, we’re 1-0 down already.
Who is Batigol’s heir?
Andriy Shevchenko. He doesn’t have a weakness, he’s smart, has technique, strength and knows the game.
Is Sheva better than Ronaldo?
Shevchenko is more consistent and participates in the overall play. Ronaldo waits for his moment, but when he finds it you are in trouble.
What was it like having him as a teammate at Inter?
It was fabulous and a real reason to be proud of the team. I was even his club captain!
Were Inter robbed of the 1997-98 Scudetto?
If we are still here talking about it seven years later, then clearly something was amiss. I have never heard an incident discussed so much as Mark Iuliano’s foul on Ronnie.
Then Marcello Lippi moved across the divide.
He said: “I am counting on you.” Then he signed Angelo Peruzzi and I left. I paid the price for the fact we argued in the tunnel after that Juve-Inter game. For four years we didn’t say a word to each other.
What happened with Dino Zoff in the Italy squad? He’s the one who dropped you.
Zoff was my hero, but since he cut me out of the Azzurri my idea of him has changed a little. At the time the only goalkeepers nominated for the Balon d’Or were Fabien Barthez and myself, so I couldn’t understand why I had been dropped from the Italy squad.
Who is the best goalkeeper you have ever seen?
Peruzzi. If Angelo is on form, then Gianluigi Buffon and Walter Zenga can’t touch him.
Why do Inter never win anything?
Because every time there is a problem, even a tiny little one, it’s like World War III has just broken out.
The best save of your career?
Can I choose two? One from George Weah in a Milan derby when his powerful header came in and I got there by instinct, I still don’t know how I managed that. The second was in the 1998 World Cup against Norway when Tore Andre Flo had another header with four minutes to go. I leapt across the face of the goal and that block put us in the quarter-finals.
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| Interviewed: March 2005 |
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