Gasperini: "Being dismissed by Inter was the worst moment, but I knew how to get back up"

The break from the championship, Gian Piero Gasperini spent among the vineyards of Castelnuovo Don Bosco, supporting his son Davide, owner of Cascina Gilli, in the area nicknamed the “Riviera del Monferrato.” It was here that the coach, interviewed by the Corriere della Sera, spoke about football, wine, and the most difficult moments of his career.

Among these, his dismissal from Inter stands out: “I wavered several times. Being sacked by Inter was perhaps the worst moment. But I managed to get back up. And I owe a lot to Atalanta, which continued to trust me, even when the results weren’t coming.” A gratitude that Gasperini reiterates with conviction, recalling his nine years with the Nerazzurri as the highest point of his career: “Not only and not so much for the Europa League won. But for the quality of play and the consistency of finishing in the Champions League zone achieved in nine years. It’s not a single trophy that determines a coach’s skill.”

The bond with Bergamo remains deep. The emotion he showed at the press conference last season, before facing his former team, struck many. “Bergamo was the longest and most intense chapter of my life as a football wanderer. I have no regrets, but I feel a deep nostalgia for a community where I had integrated perfectly. I miss everything about Bergamo.” And he adds: “I haven’t sold my house in Bergamo.”

On his playing system, the 3-4-3 remains his identity reference: “It’s my way of seeing football. I imported it from abroad, from the Netherlands in particular. And there’s no doubt that, so far, the highest point I’ve reached has been with Atalanta.” The Freisa 343, his son’s wine, is inspired by that very formation: “It’s an excellent grape variety, but it’s not a big name, it’s not considered on the level of Barolo or Barbaresco. I love the idea of building something great, little by little, starting from perhaps a lower step.”

On not joining Juventus a year ago, he replies with a laugh: “No comment.” Regarding Roma, where he leads the standings, he admits that the plan was to reach certain levels in three years: “We wouldn’t mind getting there sooner. But we are aware that the road is long. There will be ups and downs. If we manage to handle them, who knows…” With a colorful note about the capital: “The biggest problem is its cuisine. I have to watch out for carbonara, I’m gaining too much weight.”