Marco Roccati, a coach and former goalkeeper for Napoli, Bologna, and Fiorentina, among others, spoke on `1 Football Club`, a radio program hosted by Luca Cerchione on 1 Station Radio. Here is an excerpt from the interview.
Has Italiano shown improvement in his coaching approach since his time at Fiorentina?
“I believe Italiano is doing an excellent job. He achieved something extraordinary in Florence, especially during a complicated period. In Bologna, he found a weakened team, but in my opinion, he is doing even better than Thiago Motta. With a weaker squad, he`s achieving even more significant results. Reaching the Champions League will be very difficult, also because the schedule is tough and very demanding. Moreover, this year there are fewer Champions League spots available compared to last year. If there were still five spots like last year, Bologna would certainly be there. With four spots, however, they must hope that Atalanta slips up a bit, especially because Juventus has a much more favorable schedule, and the change in coach has been beneficial. However, reaching the Champions League has become complicated. A place in Europe, though, they will compete for until the end.”
Bologna has often alternated between Skorupski and Ravaglia, two different goalkeeping styles. On the other hand, Napoli has firmly focused on Meret, while Caprile was sent to gain experience at Cagliari, where he is performing very well. What`s your take on this?
“I think Napoli has always worked well in the transfer market and made correct choices, and the results prove it. For fifteen years, Napoli has been consistently in the top positions in Serie A, and for five or six years, they have been in the Champions League. When the results are so consistent, it`s never just a matter of luck, but of hard work, planning, and thoughtful choices. Caprile was not signed because they didn`t believe in Meret, but probably because they consider him the goalkeeper of the future. They sent him to gain experience, which is right; he only had one year of Serie A behind him, and Naples is a difficult place. Even Meret, when he arrived from Ferrara, was not immediately a starter. They gave him time and space, and he earned his place. And today, he is proving to be a top-level goalkeeper. Last year, he had an extraordinary season, and he is also doing very well this year. Usually, top teams have goalkeepers who perform well: just look at Atalanta with Carnesecchi or Inter with Sommer. It`s never a coincidence.”
Speaking of Meret, the contract renewal situation continues to drag on. Sometimes it`s said to be done, but then it`s not finalized. Does it remind you a bit of the Kvaratskhelia situation, who seemed destined to renew and then left?
“No, I believe they probably already have an agreement and just need to formalize it. If he wants to stay and the president wants to keep him, I don`t see any major problems. When they have the time, they will sign. If the agreement is truly in place, then there will be no obstacles.”
Why not offer him a longer renewal instead of these continuous annual agreements? What`s your idea?
“You have to see if it`s the club that doesn`t want to or if it`s the player, perhaps on the advice of his agent. It`s a risk, of course, because in football you can get injured or fall out of the coach`s rotations. But it`s also true that, as a free agent every year, you have the opportunity to put yourself on the market and earn more. So it could be an agent`s strategy. I don`t think it`s Napoli backing out; it seems more like a player`s choice.”
Conte still maintains a certain mystery about his future. Wouldn`t it be better to deny or confirm to give more serenity to the group in these last few games?
“Conte is a direct person and always says what he thinks. Rather than telling lies, like other coaches do, he prefers not to answer. However, I believe he has enjoyed himself in Naples. He is often seen among the people. Naples is an incredible place: if he has enjoyed it, for him to leave, something important must happen, like an offer from a top club, or something strange. After such an extraordinary season, which few believed in, it would be absurd to leave. At the beginning of the year, I remember many doubts and skeptical statements. This was De Laurentiis`s response to the criticism: he chose a coach who seemed unattainable, instead he brought him home and achieved great results. He is making the Neapolitan people dream of the Scudetto. And in my opinion, Monday`s game against Bologna will be decisive: if they win, Napoli is projected towards the title.”
You left a good memory in Scotland, at Dundee. Today there are several Scots in our league: at Napoli there is McTominay, at Bologna Ferguson. The latter, in particular, is doing very well. In your opinion, could Ferguson be the right profile for Napoli if Anguissa leaves? How would you see a Scottish trio at Napoli?
“I have experienced Scottish football and I can say that it has changed a lot. Once it was much more physical, today it has become more dynamic, more similar to European football. Current Scottish players have quality and great room for growth. I`m not sure they are completely mature yet, but they will probably get there. Ferguson is doing very well, but at Napoli there are balances: before moving them, the president will think carefully.”
Napoli has two high-level goalkeepers: Meret and Caprile. If you were Antonio Conte, who would you choose and why?
“I would keep Meret, because at the moment he has proven to be up to par and has done very well. I wouldn`t change a certainty for a question mark: it would mean breaking balances, and in a team, balances should always be maintained.”