Marco Parolo considers Steven Gerrard as his idol and admits that the Premier League holds a certain fascination for him.
The Lazio midfielder has enjoyed a good start to the season so far, slotting straight into Stefano Pioli’s XI.
But there are at least five other Coaches that have left a mark on his career so far.
“My first Coach at Gallarate’s Torino Club made me cry,” Parolo has told the latest edition of Calcio 2000.
Marco Parolo considers Steven Gerrard as his idol and admits that the Premier League holds a certain fascination for him.
The Lazio midfielder has enjoyed a good start to the season so far, slotting straight into Stefano Pioli’s XI.
But there are at least five other Coaches that have left a mark on his career so far.
“My first Coach at Gallarate’s Torino Club made me cry,” Parolo has told the latest edition of Calcio 2000.
“He said, ‘run here, run there’ and I stood there shocked, because it seemed that football wasn’t for me.
“With his determination, Pierpaolo Bisoli at Cesena taught me how to sacrifice myself, to fight in order to win space. Massimo Ficcadenti taught me some useful movements in the 4-3-3.
“Obviously Roberto Donadoni at Parma was important too because he was able to transmit to me a winning mentality. And his assistant Mario Bortolazzi taught me a secret or two about how to improve my shot from distance.”
But Parolo added that watching Steven Gerrard has also been a source for inspiration and improvement.
“Steven Gerrard is my idol because he always looks to break through and he is an all-round midfielder and I, like him, always likes to be in the heart of the game, otherwise I’d fall asleep.”
“At the World Cup in Brazil I asked him the shirt but he had already promised it to someone else.
Obviously to play against him was a really strong emotion.”
In this respect, Parolo thinks that the rhythm of the Premier League would suit him well.
“English football really fascinates me. Their stadiums are a model that should be used in Italy, although I think that finally something is happening here too.
“Emanuele Giaccherini told me that the English supporter feels like one with the stadium and that there is a great devotion, almost a sense of attachment even belonging to the team.
“As a kid, I had posters of Maldini, Baresi and Van Basten. Milan were the team that in the 1990s always won.
“Am I a Liverpool fan too? Yes, I like the team, the Kop, the anthem. I also like Arsenal – red after all is my favourite colour.”
Finally, Parolo reflected on his adventure with Italy so far and the new style brought under CT Antonio Conte.
“I think we were unlucky at the World Cup in Brazil but to be part of that experience, it was truly great.
“I was confident that one day I’d play in a World Cup because in 2006 I was coming back from Santo Domingo with my wife and while on the plane I told her not to worry, that in 2014 I would play with them as a protagonist. This only shows that where there’s a will, there’s a way.
“I’ve noticed a new mentality with Antonio Conte – he insists a lot on the team concept.
“He likes to choose the best interpreters for his style but they must grant him their commitment. And everybody has to earn and deserve their starting berth.”