PAGLIUCA, GOING BEYOND REGRETS

Gazzetta dello Sport, 17/08/1999

“Inter has disappointed me, but I don’t have to prove anything. I
believe in Bologna: we are right behind the great ones.

A penalty save and so many other occasions: in Spain, Pagliuca has shown
himself to be in the best shape of all Bologna’s players. The wound of
parting from Inter is still open (“A blow that was hard to take”); his
city (“Here I know everyone, it’s the right place for me”). About the
national team: “Buffon is there, for me it is a closed chapter now.”

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

BILBAO - Only the details matter. If it were a European cup match, and
not a friendly game of little importance, we would already be shaking
dust off the old title: “The second coming of Saint Pagliuca”, or
“Pagliuca the hero at Bilbao”. Instead, the match with Athletic is one
of the easily forgotten summer games.


This is an important detail, but let’s talk of the match itself, and of
the saves. Gianluca Pagliuca made some stupendous saves, defending
Bologna. The feat of saving the penalty, struck well by Javi Gonzalez.
Pagliuca flying beautifully into the corner of the goal, just like in
the good old times. But were they ever over, really ? Judging by the
start of his new season, no. So far, in all of Bologna’s summer friendly
games, he has been their best player. He nods with a smile. He says:“I
hope to remain the best in autumn, winter, and spring, as well. I am
working very well, I’m in great shape, and I’m very happy.”

A champion pushed away too fast and perhaps unjustly has two choices.
The first: go to winter quietly in provincial soccer on a good salary,
waiting for deserved retirement. The second: show them who you are,
still. There is no doubt about Pagliuca’s choice. He has also a desire
to get even with those who did not want him at Inter anymore (perhaps
along with some of his outstanding friends?). But Pagliuca is also
capable in finding motivation within himself. In talking, he chooses a
gentlemanly tone, prefers to accent the positive, the return to his
roots. He says: “I did not expect to leave Inter. I played great in the
first round, and in the second round the entire team got lost in the
vicissitudes. No, I thought I would stay, and when I got the news in
May, I felt very bad. I don't want to talk about the reason why I was
not wanted; perhaps I don’t even know it. Certainly, the new coach has
made different choices. Getting even? No, I don’t need to, I came to
Bologna with great enthusiasm. I had various requests from Spain,
England, and I have preferred to return home, to my Bologna. I have
always been a fan of the team, and I dreamed of wearing this shirt. I
have arrived here, and I’m very proud.”

The childhood dreams that come to meet you and help you forget the
bitterness. He nods in agreement: “Exactly. I have already bounced back
from the blow dealt by Inter, thanks to Bologna [the club] and Bologna
[the city]. I was so happy to be here. It would have been more difficult
anywhere else. Here I’m doing great. For years, I have only come here in
passing. Now I have rediscovered the city, and I have found it to be
more or less the same: serene, alive, hospitable. Here I know almost
everyone, I know every alley. In Milan last year, I was still getting
lost. And then, the team: I like it very much, we can play a good
championship.”

How good? People still remember last season, full of wonderful things.
Pagliuca knows that well. “I would leave a great mark if I were able to
repeat it. Important players have left, but other important ones have
arrived. The team is strong: we can go far in the cup, in the
championship there are seven teams of a different category, and we can
be right behind them. And then the following case: if any of the great
ones falter, like Inter and Juve last year, we can get in there. I’ll
say one thing: very few have an attacking pair like Ventola-Signori,
which approaches perfection. As for me, I want to play one of the best
seasons of my career.”

In great shape and determined, very determined. To the point of still
itching for the spot on the national team? He shrugs his shoulders: “No,
after the World Cup in France the national team is a closed chapter for
me, from the time that the coach has decided to call up Buffon, who,
besides, is the best of all. He has a great carreer ahead of him.”

Since we’are at it, he agrees to draft a sort of a ranking of the
goalkeepers: “I won’t put myself in there. After Buffon, we’ll say
Toldo, who has improved a lot, then Abbiatti, who made Milan win the
scudetto, and the usual Peruzzi, great class and experience.

Peruzzi and Inter, who are not doing very well in this pre-season.
Pagliuca shows no trace of a smile, upholding the gentlemanly image. He
says:“It [the team] has changed a lot, but I think it is good. Everyone
wants redemption, and they are not playing in any of the cups: I think
they are the favorites for the scudetto.” But if Bologna takes away some
decisive points from Inter, it is hard to believe that he would be
displeased.

By Fabio Bianchi, Gazzetta dello Sport, 17 August 1999
Translated from Italian by Julia Tarasova.