The former coach remembers Pierluigi Frosio: “He was at the end of his career, but he put his heart into it. And once he trained with a fever of 39”
The voice broken by emotion, just did not expect news like this. The words stumble and almost don’t want to be said, because saying them means that it’s all true, that Pierluigi Frosio, his friend Pierluigi Frosio, is no longer there. Arrigo Sacchi takes a deep breath, sips a glass of water and begins: “Come on, let’s tell who was the great Piero”.
Sacchi, when did you meet?
“In the summer of 1984. I coached Rimini, Serie C1, group A. I had a team of boys and I needed a man of experience who was an example for the whole group. I knew Piero as a player from the time he was at Cesena, then I followed him in his splendid adventure at Perugia. And so I made up my mind and made him an offer. He was already thirty-six, he was now at the end of his career “.
Do you remember how the first meeting went?
“It was halfway between Rimini and Perugia, where he lived. We talked for a couple of hours, he made a great impression on me. He was very curious, I told him about my methods, the pressure, the area, the offside. He got excited and accepted. the proposal immediately. You see, at that time it was not easy to find old players who were willing to guide the young people. Usually, the older ones went to a club to pick up the last salary and spend the winter. Piero no, Piero came in Rimini and in that experience he put his heart into it “.
In that championship, Rimini finished in fourth place and came close to promotion.
“All sorts of things happened, but now it’s water under the bridge. I remember that we played the second game in Sanremo and we won 3-0. One goal better than the other, and all born from schemes tried in training. Piero, at the end of the game. , he came to me and said: ‘It’s nice to work like this, you can see the results on the pitch’. He was a curious man. The great football family has lost a beautiful person: sensitive, modest, generous “.
“Intelligent. An intelligent free. The talent he had built up during his long career with commitment and work. We practiced the area in Rimini, which at that time was hardly seen in Italy. He adapted very well. Of course, the He was a bit worn after so many battles, but for him it wasn’t a problem. And you could see it on the pitch. “
An episode that describes him more than any other?
“One thing I have never forgotten. We play on Sunday, we say goodbye and we meet on Tuesday to resume training. Piero arrives all wrapped up, he seemed to be shivering from the cold. ‘What have you got?’ I say to him. ‘Thirty-nine of fever, mister’. ‘And why didn’t you stay at home with your family down in Perugia?’ to the team. ‘This was Frosio, one who never held back in the face of his responsibilities. There were, in today’s football, players and men like that … I followed him in his career as a coach, he worked above all with young people. A true teacher. Blessed are those who attended Piero’s lessons “.
February 21 – 12:00
© REPRODUCTION RESERVED
#Sacchi #called #Frosio #Rimini #Intelligent #knew #lead