Napoli and Italy striker Giacomo Raspadori says Roberto De Zerbi is the most influential coach he’s had in his career, revealing that the Brighton boss blocked his potential loan move to Serie B when he was at Sassuolo.
Raspadori released an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, going through all the steps that brought him to the Stadio Maradona and Italy’s national team.
The 23-year-old made his Serie A debut in 2019 at Sassuolo under De Zerbi. A few months later, he would be named the Neroverdi’s captain.
“I was barely 20 when the Sassuolo ‘senators’ and Roberto De Zerbi gave me the captain’s armband. Maybe because I unite and not divide. I try to stick the team together,” he said.
“I was lucky to work with top-level coaches, but If I have to name one, I must mention De Zerbi. He gave me my Serie A debut and always showed unconditional trust in me. I could have gone on loan in Serie B at some point, but he said no. He always wanted me at the core of his project. With De Zerbi, I became aware of my qualities, if I hadn’t had a coach like him, my fate could have been different.”
Raspadori has become a permanent member of Italy’s national team and despite being only 1,72m tall, he feels that his body hasn’t affected his play.
“Honestly, no. On the contrary, it has always motivated me to evolve,” he said.
“I didn’t have the same physical structure as other players, so I had to be better than them technically and tactically. I learned it soon, so I started working on it immediately.”
The Italian striker was part of the squad that won the Euros in 2021.
“It’s exciting just to talk about the national team. It gives incredible energy to be involved,” he claimed.
“You know you are representing your country, thousands of kids who had the same dream but could not fulfil it. You wear the Azzurri shirt for them too. My first memory is the 2006 World Cup. I was six and I think it’s the first thing I remember.
“I entered the dressing room quietly but with great passion and when we won [the Euros], I understood that nothing is impossible. It was an emotion that I hope to experience again in the future.”
Raspadori joined Napoli from Sassuolo in 2022 and won the Serie A title with the Partenopei in his first season at the club,
“I was proud to join the team. Juventus, Milan and Inter wanted me, but I am happy to play for Napoli, also because of the history of their footballers. I like to remember Maradona and Juliano, who wore this shirt in the past. I am ambitious and I knew this was the right step. I had a great time at Sassuolo, but I needed to leave my comfort zone and fight for the Scudetto and European cups. The beginning was strange, but there is great energy here and you understand the love and passion for football. I am happy here.”
However, the Partenopei have had a tough start to the season and are currently out of the top four, 14 points below table leaders Inter. How does Raspadori explain the team’s drop?
“I don’t think there is something in particular. I think it is physiological after winning the Scudetto,” he admitted.
“It’s no excuse, but last season was demanding. We are not accustomed to winning, we don’t always have the determination that comes from that experience. We must find it and we are working on it. We are a great team, we should never forget it.”
The Italian striker is among the Serie A players who study at University and hopes to graduate soon.
“More and more footballers play and study. I am trying to graduate in sports science,” he said.
“Others, like Matteo Pessina, Tommaso Pobega, Alessandro Buongiorno and, even before, Giorgio Chiellini, have proved that studying and playing sports at the highest levels is not impossible. I want to fight against the stereotypes of footballers with no interests except money and football, with no relevant human values. Believe me, it’s not like this.”