Christian Amoroso, a former midfielder for Fiorentina, Pisa, and Bologna and currently coaching Viareggio, recently shared his insights with TuttoMercatoWeb.com. He discussed the current landscape in Serie A and the Italian national team, ahead of their match against Israel.
Pisa`s Challenging Start
What are your thoughts on Pisa`s beginning to the season?
The upcoming match against Verona is pivotal, not so much for the league standings but for team morale. In a challenging league like Serie A, playing with serenity becomes difficult without wins, especially for a squad largely comprising Serie B players. While a slightly better start in terms of results was anticipated, there`s still ample time to turn things around.
Expectations for Nzola
What do you expect from Nzola?
Expectations for Nzola are that he proves he`s one of the few who have played in Serie A and can maintain his presence there. He`s shown little so far; it`s high time he starts demonstrating his true worth.
Fiorentina`s Struggles and Pioli`s Position
What`s your take on Fiorentina`s difficulties?
Fiorentina`s current struggles are puzzling. Perhaps there are internal dynamics we`re unaware of. Some players aren`t performing at their usual standard. In my opinion, this Fiorentina team is better and more prepared than last year`s, but a start like this in such a demanding city makes everything incredibly complex.
How do these difficulties manifest?
The Fiorentina environment is demanding: it elevates you to the stars when things go well, but makes everything tougher when performances dip. Upon the league`s resumption, Fiorentina will face Milan at San Siro, a challenging encounter. It`s imperative to reverse course quickly, though I couldn`t say precisely how. Currently, the team displays few ideas and low quality. Pioli faces a tricky situation.
Do you see Pioli at risk? And if so, do you see any coaches around who could provide a shock?
Undoubtedly, Pioli is at risk, despite his three-year contract. However, the fans demand action. In such situations, the coach is usually the first to pay the price, even if he still has some time. He has the opportunity to turn the team`s fortunes around. It`s clear that something isn`t working. Often, in these cases, the coach becomes the scapegoat, even if he might be the right person doing things correctly. I hope he doesn`t have to face the repercussions.
Bologna`s Ambitions and Scudetto Race
With most teams strengthening upfront, what can Bologna hope to achieve this year?
Bologna boasts a solid foundation and an excellent coach. I`m convinced they are performing well but can still improve. As the championship progresses, we`ll see what qualitative level they can achieve. I believe they can aim for a spot in Europe, though not necessarily the Champions League. This would be an excellent outcome for a rapidly growing club like Bologna.
Who do you see ahead in the Scudetto race? Can Roma stay among the contenders?
For the Scudetto, I primarily see Inter and Napoli at the forefront. Roma? I`m not so sure; watching their games, they don`t strike me as very similar to Gasperini`s Atalanta. They`ve also accumulated more points than they probably deserved. We`ll have to see if the team starts to adopt the coach`s identity in the upcoming matches.
Italy`s World Cup Hopes
Are you worried about the play-off scare for Italy?
We have no other choice: we must give our utmost and then, if necessary, consider the play-offs. If we get there with 4-5 wins, we`ll certainly be ready to compete. Knockout matches are always complex, but the national team now has the right spirit. The players seem very willing to join the national team, something I didn`t observe with Spalletti. For this reason, I believe we have the potential to qualify for the World Cup.
