Alberto Polverosi, a journalist for “Il Corriere dello Sport,” spoke on CRC radio, a partner of SSC Napoli, during the program “A Pranzo con Chiariello.” He discussed various topics related to Italian football.
Regarding Neapolitan fans not supporting the Italian national team, Polverosi acknowledged this sentiment is also present in Florence. He stated, “It’s true, but the same feeling is also here in Florence. I am half Neapolitan and half Florentine, but today I live in Florence. Florentines feel Florentine and simply do not love the national team in the most absolute way. I must say that I am sorry because I feel the national team, having been to a World Cup. I understand the reasoning of the fans towards the Italian Federation and on the issue of referees, but I do not share the way they lash out and do not support the national team. I disagree even more when their team’s favorites play for the national team, like Buongiorno for Napoli and Kean for Fiorentina. To tell the truth, it also bothers me because I am a fan and representative of the national team’s fans.”
Polverosi suggested implementing clauses in player contracts to incentivize national team participation. “When clubs submit contracts to players, I would like clauses to be inserted stating to the player: ‘You earn 1 million, if you don’t go to the national team you earn 1,100,000 million euros.’ Tell me who would sign it. National teams are a thorn in the side of clubs, but what value does the national team have for the players? For me, a lot.”
He also briefly commented on Roberto Benigni, saying, “Roberto Benigni? If we were a normal country, he would be the prime minister.”
Discussing Moise Kean’s role, Polverosi, an Empoli fan, admitted he would have preferred to see Sebastiano Esposito play but recognized Kean’s suitability for Luciano Spalletti’s tactics. “Kean as a starter? I am an Empoli fan and if Sebastiano Esposito had played I would be happier, but it is right like this because the Empoli center forward still has to grow and mature. Kean is precise and suitable for how Luciano Spalletti wants to play. At Fiorentina he is used to playing with a second striker or a attacking midfielder, like Beltran and Gudmundsson, because if you kick the long ball, Kean holds it like Lukaku.”
Finally, Polverosi praised Marianucci’s composure and personality after a successful penalty kick against Juventus fans. “Marianucci is good and has a brazen face despite being a kid. In Florence in the Coppa Italia he played a good game as well as in Turin against the Granata team. Marianucci took the decisive penalty under the Juventus fans’ curve, and this makes you understand that he has too much personality. Surely Napoli made a deal, and they have always made deals with Empoli. I am afraid that Empoli will not be saved, for two months we have been missing 10 players and ⅚ of the best players in the team. Pellegri broke down when he scored three goals, we are missing Anjorin, Ismajli who returned on Saturday in Turin who is one who if he goes to Napoli can easily be Rrahmani and Buongiorno’s reserve, Maleh, Zurkowski who was important for us and Solbakken. I fear that we will not be able to save ourselves.”