Exclusive interview with Ariedo #Braida, general director of #Cremonese:
- PROMOTION TO SERIE A BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT
"Yes, certainty, of my last years in this career. It was an unexpected outcome but we wanted it and fought for it with all our forces. You should never give up in life, even when everything seems lost. Whoever has desire, temperament and character, sooner or later will reach the set goals. Our initial objective was to reach the playoffs, and that objective was easily surpassed with the promotion. This gratifies the passion of Knight Arvedi, the fans who have been with us until the final game against #Como, mister #Pecchia and his staff, and the players who were able to give more than their maximum".
BIGGEST SECRET IS THE MIX BETWEEN YOUNG AND OLD PLAYERS
"It's true, it was really an optimal mix. Each component helped to get the results. The pride of seeing 4 youngsters, even if we don't own them, play in the U21 against Bosnia last March. Some of them didn't seem to be able to play, like #Fagioli who was valued by the mister who knew him well. And without forgetting #Okoli, #Carnesecchi and #Gaetano who deserve to be in Serie A. These boys are still at the beginning of their career. Their qualities are still being developed for big clubs like #Juventus and #Napoli".
DISAPPOINTED BY A PLAYER?
"Yes, #DiCarmine. Maybe also due to many injuries, he wasn't able to give his best, but it's not because of this that we put him aside. I always told Samuel to never give up, reminding him that in football whatever could not be achieved in a year could be done in one day. Having said that, who scored the two decisive goals against #Como?".
NICOLÒ FAGIOLI
"In reality, #Fagioli deserves a separate discussion. He has technical abilities that are above the norm, he is good. His talent is special and not common to many other players. But, and there is a but: he has to train, earn his spot, suffer and improve. One thing is to play in #Cremonese, another is to do it in a top club. There, there is no time, failure is not an option. To be ready, he should work harder and follow his growth path".
NEXT YEAR AT CREMONESE?
"We didn't speak with #Juventus about his future yet. In the next few days we will meet with the bianconero club to see what will happen. Right now we are still celebrating the promotion. On Saturday and Sunday we were submerged with the affection of our fans."
FAGIOLI, ZANIMACCHIA AND RAFIA STAYING?
"Let's see what we can do, if the conditions are there, through dialogue and friendship. As always, we will try to do our best. Zanimacchia? He was quiet at the beginning, but then with humility he was able to earn a starting role. He's a serious boy, he will certainly do well".
HALF A YES ABOUT WANTING THEM TO STAY?
"Yes, our aim is to work with the best young players".
[Mirko Di Natale - TuttoJuve]