by Simone Cioni
Raised in the Empoli youth system (4 goals in 36 games in the First Team between A and B), he then played another 313 games as a professional (most in Serie C) also wearing the Parma jersey 14 times with 2 goals. We are talking about the 1982-born striker, Davide Matteini, with whom we decided to present the Empoli-Parma challenge on Saturday night at the Castellani-Computer Gross Arena.
Matteini, who of the two is better at this head-to-head?
“From the point of view of the state of mind, Parma without a doubt, with a six-point advantage over the relegation zone with three rounds to go, the ball will certainly weigh less. On the contrary, Empoli can no longer make mistakes and when you have to chase, especially in terms of salvation, it is never easy”.
What will the Azzurri need to get the full loot?
“At this point in the season it’s not so much what you can do, but only the ‘heart’ you put into it and the desire to get three points at any cost. Empoli must not look at the others, they must only think about winning these last three games. If they get nine points in my opinion they’ll be safe, if they lose one it will be very very tough”.
How do you judge the championship of the two teams so far?
“Empoli had a good start and has a coach, D’Aversa, who I really like because he has character. In fact, I was a bit shocked by the long period without victories, even if I imagine it’s not easy to constantly keep a young team’s ‘brain turned on’. I was young too and you tend to relax when things are going well. Then let’s not forget all the injuries they’ve had. From this point of view, they’ve certainly not been lucky. As for Parma, on the other hand, they had the luck and the skill to provide those two or three games that allowed them to break away from the ‘hot’ zone”.
What memories do you have of the two experiences?
“I can’t compare them because I grew up in Empoli, it’s my home, it’s the team with which I made my debut in Serie B and A. Even in the Parma period, however, I had a great time and I had the opportunity to play alongside great champions like Morfeo, Fernando Couto, the Lucarelli brothers, but as I was able to do in the national team with the various Vannucchi, Saudati, Almiron, Buscè”.
By the way, one of his four goals for Italy was scored in an Empoli-Parma match…
“It’s true, it was 2007, I also scored a nice goal. I remember that I was exhausted, it was Moro who pushed me forward, and with the last strength I had left I made a sprint and on a lateral cross I managed to anticipate the defender and beat Bucci”.
Is there any player who has surprised you on the Azzurri squad?
“Honestly, I haven’t seen any player who particularly stands out from the others, but in the Coppa Italia matches, I was impressed by the young goalkeeper Seghetti, in my opinion he’s a guy who can go far.”
Who will Matteini be cheering for on Saturday night?
“I would be a hypocrite if I didn’t say that my ‘heart’ is blue. Of course I’m happy that Parma can also save themselves, but between the two I certainly hope that Empoli wins, also because they absolutely need these three points more.”