On Tuesday, when Delhi Dynamos took on Chennaiyin FC, it seemed like a jamboree of Italian World Cup winners. While Marco Materazzi, the hosts’ player-manager, and Alessandro Del Piero, Dynamos’ marquee signing, have become household names, it was time for Alessandro Nesta to hog the limelight.
The 38-year-old, considered one of the best defenders ever and capped 78 times by Italy, spoke to The Hindu on his role in the team and Italian football.
Excerpts:
You were seen giving out a lot of instructions on the pitch. Does the role of a leader come naturally?
It is a new league. The players were, sometimes, running everywhere. I am also old and cannot run around for 90 minutes. With good positioning, it is easier to play.
What is your take on the standard of defending world over?
In the last decade, defenders have been taught to play the ball more than to mark opponents and defend. Yes, technique is important, but before that you need to learn how to defend.
Italian football has not been doing well. Why?
The Italian economy is down. In Serie A , there is no money. They cannot compete with Real Madrid and Barcelona. For the national side, we need a generation of good players. But this generation is not good enough to win a World Cup or compete against the likes of Germany.
Has grassroots development fallen behind in Italy?
Yes. Manchester City recently spent 200 million just on the academy centre. But in Italy, there is no infrastructure. Also, we have lost a bit of our old mentality. We now go around Europe to copy something, but we have a big history ourselves. We don’t need to go elsewhere.
Will foreign investment help?
It is difficult to invest money in Italy. Erick Thohir has invested in Inter [Milan], but I don’t think it is good business. Taxes are high and you don’t get permission to build new stadiums. You cannot put up shops, parking lots, food stalls etc. We are still like how we were in 1990 (Italy last hosted the World Cup in 1990). Only San Siro (Milan), Stadio Olympico (Roma) and Juventus Stadium (Juventus) are good.
How tough was it to leave Lazio for AC Milan?
Very [difficult]. Because Lazio is in Rome and my parents lived there. But Lazio was not in a good financial position. So I was sold.
Injuries plagued you in all three World Cups….
I am not a lucky guy. Or maybe my body was not strong enough to play the whole season, and then the World Cup too.
