Quotes from Gianluca Pagliuca

Bologna's official site, 28/07/1999

When I understood that Inter did not need me anymore I was disappointed, I didn't expect it. On the other hand, the same thing had happened before to Zenga when I arrived.

I am very happy to be at Bologna. I have wanted to come to this team because it had been my dream to finish my career here. I have to admit, however, that I expected to become part of this team in three or four years. The fact that I have anticipated the times will allow me to give a lot to the red-and-blue colors. For a goalkeeper, 32 years are equivalent to 28 in other players. I am certain that I will be able to help Bologna obtain good results.

To tell you the truth, some have tried to tell me not to accept the transfer to Bologna, that it was risky, but this is my city, where I returned from Milan only on Mondays if we did not have cup matches. Now I can go to Milan on Mondays.

I hope that this Bologna team will be able to reach the finals of one of the cups. It is true that players of the caliber of Andersson and Mangone, just to cite a few, are not with the team anymore. It is also true, however, that others have arrived who are equally good, so we should be convinced of our ability to do well. Don't forget that Ventola, for example, started at Inter last season side by side with Ronaldo.

On Saturday I will face Gianluca Vialli for the first time as a coach. It will be an emotional encounter, thinking back to what we had done together at Sampdoria. I believe that in today's soccer this achievement (winning the scudetto) cannot be repeated by an outsider anymore.

Translated by J.Tarasova