“Not you again?”: Simone Inzaghi must have thought this on Saturday evening, watching Riccardo Orsolini score the stunning winning goal against his Inter in the 94th minute. The Italian winger`s record against the Nerazzurri, since the Piacenza-born coach took charge, is becoming significant. In the 2-2 draw earlier in the season, he provided an assist for Holm. Last year, he started the comeback in another match that ended with the same scoreline at the Dall`Ara. And in 2022/23, he sealed the 1-0 victory for the Rossoblu in the 76th minute with a beautiful volleyed left-footed shot, also in Bologna (and even in the away match at San Siro, he provided an assist despite his team`s heavy 6-1 defeat at the Meazza).
The editorial team at TuttoMercatoWeb spoke exclusively with Remo Orsini, who discovered the winger when he was still a child and brought him to Ascoli, where he developed before Juventus spotted him.
Have you ever seen Orsolini play like this? Do you think the credit goes to [Vincenzo] Italiano?
“Since he was very young, he always made a difference, especially in the Beretti [youth league]. Now he has matured a lot and also sacrifices himself defensively. Coach Italiano certainly gives him a lot of confidence and responsibility, contributing to his excellent performances.”
How did you discover him?
“I saw him playing on the beach in Porto d’Ascoli and immediately noticed an innate talent.”
What did the Orsolini you coached have in common with the Orsolini of today?
“I`ll just tell you that the first time I saw him walking on the beach, he scored with an acrobatic bicycle kick at the age of 8, which caught my eye – speaking of the goal he just scored against Inter. The characteristics he`s always had are cunning and a desire to score goals.”
Does it make you smile that he scored specifically against Inter? You mentioned his fondness for the Nerazzurri as a child.
“Yes, destiny has arranged it so that he has now scored two or three times against the team he supported as a child.”
Among the players potentially limited by Italy`s new 3-5-2 system, is he the one who most deserves a national team call-up?
“He widely deserves a call-up to the national team regardless of the formation. He would be an extra weapon for [Luciano] Spalletti given his ability to score goals in the box.”
Do you think it will be difficult for Bologna to keep him this summer? Especially if a top club decides to target him.
“He is very happy in Bologna; the people love him, and he is content. However, I don`t hide that I would like to see him play for a top-tier team.”