PAGLIUCA: "I'll wear this shirt one more season for sure."

22.06.2001.
www.ilgiorno.it (c)
Interview by Massimo Vitali.
Bologna, June 22, 2001 - He will not go to Roma, as the market rumors say, to make room for Antonioli's return.
"I will stay here at least another season," swears Pagliuca. Last year, at just about the same time, he was rather put out by the same rumor. Then, as now, Antonioli had talked about having problems adjusting to the capital, sending Gazzoni an indirect message: "Returning to Bologna? That would be the best for me." Pagliuca was not pleased with this encroachment upon his turf. And he was quick to make it known to his colleague: "I'm sorry for him if he does not like it too much in Rome, I'm doing great at Bologna and I have no intention of giving up my space for him." One year later, same news from Rome. Except now there is a new wrinkle: if Antonioli, who still isn't comfortable there, should come back to Bologna, Roma would probably get Pagliuca as a second to young Pelizzoli. Pagliuca as a brooding hen with the championship emblem on his chest? He glosses over it: "Let's say it's a good sign if certain things are heard. Being at the center of attention of a team like Roma can only make me pleased. But the other day I talked to Cinquini. And the general manager told me that the club has no intention of giving me up. I still have one year left in my contract with Bologna and I will honor that. I don't see why it should be any different. I have said it before and I repeat it: Bologna is the best for me. I'll wear this shirt one more season for sure. Then we'll see."
Giving up the game in June of 2002? Don't even start with that. The kid from Ceretolo has racked up 429 appearances in Serie A, and now he has a precise goal: to crack 500 and enter the exclusive club of players who have made it that far. To reach that, he needs two more seasons and just a tad more. And at the age of 34 years, all well-spent, this idea does not seem a far-fetched dream at all.