A Dream Come True for the Nerazzurri Prodigy
The story of Pio Esposito, the youngest of the Esposito brothers, reads like a film titled “A Week with Pio.” In this cinematic narrative, instead of Morgan Freeman, we find the determined yet enthusiastic face of Gennaro Gattuso. In just six days, the Inter Milan forward saw two of his biggest dreams come true. First was his Serie A debut with Inter, the club that welcomed him at nine years old and molded him into a promising and physically strong striker. Second was the opportunity to play his first minutes for the Italian National Team under Rino Gattuso, who encouraged him with a simple yet profound “Dream, my boy. Dream” before the match against Estonia.
A Journey Guided by Destiny
Fate, at times, brings delightful surprises. Esposito took his first footballing steps on a dilapidated field in the Cicerone district of Castellammare. Curiously, his initial goals weren`t scored there, but for Voluntas Brescia, a club linked to figures like Andrea Pirlo and Francesco Acerbi. His national team debut, however, took place in Bergamo, a city traditionally considered a rival to Inter, located about fifty kilometers to the west. It`s an iconic venue he will forever remember as the stadium where he passionately sang the Italian national anthem for the first time. The Esposito brothers` success is largely thanks to their father, Agostino, a former central defender with a past in Napoli`s youth academy, and Roberto Clerici. It was Clerici, the scout who spotted them playing on that small field (later renovated by the Espositos themselves), who brought them north, offering them a significant chance. Clerici passed away in 2018 at the age of 75. In his honor, Salvatore and Sebastiano acquired shares in Voluntas, while Pio dedicated his memorable debut to his family.
Pio`s Value on the Field
Pio Esposito can confidently look towards the horizon without needing to stand on tiptoes. Standing over 1.90 meters tall, he endures tackles, holds his ground, and effectively shields the ball. He will be invaluable in situations requiring him to jostle and create space, as seen in matches in La Spezia, the United States, and against Udinese, where he dominated the penalty area with a strong presence. Only a masterful intervention by Solet prevented him from assisting Thuram for a 2-2 equalizer, but more opportunities will surely arise. He will be one of Chivu`s versatile attacking options: capable of playing as the lone striker in a 3-4-2-1 formation, as a target man alongside Lautaro or Thuram, or leading the attack solo. His presence on the field encourages Dimarco and Dumfries to intensify their crosses from the wings. Last year, he scored seven headed goals. His first significant mark with Inter came as a true center-forward: control, feint, right-footed shot, and River Plate defeated. This is what Chivu expects, and Gattuso too.
