Pasquale Salvione, coordinator of Corriere dello Sport online, recently appeared on `1 Football Club`, a radio program hosted by Luca Cerchione on 1 Station Radio. Below is an excerpt from his interview.
Question: It was a weekend filled with controversies. Let`s begin with Simone Inzaghi`s post-match comments concerning Orsolini`s goal…
Salvione: “That was just a situation within the game, certainly with a mistaken assessment by the referee, but I don`t think it significantly impacted the final result. Especially since the game was stopped afterwards anyway. Of course, it triggered controversies, and that`s fair enough, because it was undeniably an error by the referee who failed to ensure the free-kick was taken from the exact correct spot. However, I don`t believe Inter`s entire performance can be reduced to just that one incident. It was a good, competitive match between two strong teams. Bologna was probably better at believing until the very end; they are a team that never gives up, and ultimately, they were rewarded by another moment of brilliance from Orsolini, a player who has shown us these kinds of touches repeatedly this season.”
Question: After the Bologna-Inter match concluded, a large group of Inter players surrounded the referee. Wasn`t that also an unpleasant sight?
Salvione: “I don`t know… end-of-match tension is understandable. You see a result slipping away in the final seconds, and anger and tension rise. There was clearly tension related to that throw-in being taken further up the pitch. But in my view, it`s all connected to the nervousness of the moment. When you see a result vanish right at the death, perhaps even due to an incident you feel penalized you unfairly, it can happen. It must also be said that sometimes a referee`s skill lies precisely in their ability to manage protests. It wasn`t a nice scene to witness, but considering how the game unfolded for Inter, I think it`s understandable.”
Question: Unfortunately, there was also controversy regarding the postponement of yesterday`s matches due to the passing of Pope Benedict XVI. Both Lazio and Fiorentina were quite strong in their criticisms. What are your thoughts?
Salvione: “It`s a paradoxical situation. All sports in Italy came to a halt. It was a decision by the FIGC, supported by CONI. It affected Serie A, Serie B, and all other levels. In such cases, controversies are always lurking: if nothing had been suspended, there would have been controversy anyway. It`s a very complex situation to evaluate. If I recall correctly, there was a precedent in 2005, and everything stopped then too. It`s genuinely difficult to arrive at a decision that pleases everyone and doesn`t generate controversy. Of course, the organizational disruptions were significant. Lazio and Fiorentina were hit particularly hard – imagine Fiorentina, forced to disembark from the plane just as it was about to take off. But it affected everyone to some extent: for instance, Bari fans who traveled over a thousand kilometers to Bolzano only to end up having a picnic at the stadium with the home fans. They had planned everything well in advance, leaving the night before. It`s all very challenging to manage, but I believe the suspension, ultimately, was the correct decision. Even though it was difficult to make.”
Question: Not exactly a controversy, but some murmuring coming from a section of the Naples fanbase. There`s division regarding Rafa Marin`s performance: how do you assess it?
Salvione: “I agree with those who gave him a passing grade. It was his first start in the league, and that wasn`t simple. It was a match with considerable pressure, a strong desire to win, but also many inherent difficulties. Conte`s frustration was directly linked to this: he knew it would be a difficult match to break down, especially without Neres. I believe Rafa Marin did his part calmly, taking into account all the objective difficulties the team faced, as well as his personal challenges, given it was his first start of the season.”
Question: We have known President Aurelio De Laurentiis for twenty years; we are aware of how he manages the club and the timings, given that he self-finances. In your opinion, are Antonio Conte`s controversies driven by the fact that he might already have another club lined up?
Salvione: “No, I don`t think so. Conte has desire. He has the desire to stay, but also the desire for a *great* Napoli. And let`s not forget that next year will mark the club`s Centenary. I believe President De Laurentiis also has the will to build a strong team. There needs to be a serious discussion between the parties to forge a common path for planning. Conte has always accustomed us to being very demanding with clubs, and I don`t believe Napoli is an exception. At the moment, there is a shared objective and dream to pursue. Then it will be crucial to sit down and find common ground for serious planning. Also because, as he has often said, Conte wants to avoid starting from the third or fourth row on the league`s starting grid; he prefers to be further forward. And perhaps even start earlier, with a squad already settled, not like last year, finalized on the last day of the transfer window. So, yes, a discussion is necessary; finding an agreement is essential to build a team capable of returning to the Champions League, competing on multiple fronts, and properly celebrating Napoli`s Centenary.”