Former Atalanta forward Papu Gomez insists that former coach Gian Piero Gasperini is ‘not a tyrant’, despite their falling out. The Argentine made the move back to Serie A after leaving Sevilla as a free agent, choosing to join Monza after holding talks with Adriano Galliani. Speaking with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Papu spoke about his decision to move to the Biancorossi, his past with La Dea, and why he has no regets about the way things ended with Gasperini:
How long did the negotiations with CEO Adriano Galliani last?
“A few hours (smiles, ed.). It was the choice of the whole family, the right choice to put myself on the line. I thought I would stay without a team until January in Sevilla, I saw myself like that even though I missed football a bit. I had offers from Saudi Arabia that wouldn’t have changed my life, from Turkey, from France, but moving the whole family with children who had started school was messy. Monza is like coming home.
Had Galliani sought you out in the summer?
‘No, without Caprari’s injury Monza wouldn’t have needed me’.
In the past, however, you had promised each other….
‘We had spoken when Monza were in C, we were having breakfast in Ibiza and Galliani told me that sooner or later I would come here. I was playing for the Copa America, the World Cup, the Champions League with Atalanta. It was more a promise for the future. This is the right moment”.
How is the league for you now?
‘An A league that is still competitive, it remains together with the Premier and La Liga the most competitive tournament. Gasperini’s Atalanta set the standard, many teams play 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1. I’ve seen coaches like Palladino, Thiago Motta, Gilardino, who are young and very ambitious, and who play a very interesting game’.
How much Gasp is there in Palladino?
“90% of Gasp, that’s why it’s easy for me to fit in at Monza, I find certain familiar mechanisms.
About three years ago the break with Gasperini, which arose from the quarrel at half-time of the Champions League match against Midtjylland: would you do it all again?
‘I wouldn’t change anything because I won a World Cup, a Copa America and a Europa League after the split from La Dea. I continued to play at a high level. Obviously it was not pleasant to leave like that for the fans. We are grown-up people, with Gasp what happened, happened. It’s been years, we hope to meet again soon and say goodbye. And he is not a tyrant’.
Can Atalanta be the model for Monza?
‘Silvio Berlusconi and Galliani’s Monza is more inspired by their AC Milan than by the Atalanta model. Of course, La Dea is an example for many, but Monza is more linked to AC Milan who won everything’.
Do you see yourself in Vignato?
“He looks like me, he’s small, he’s quick, he knows how to aim at the man, he’s intelligent, he’s on the right path, a serious guy who knows how to listen.
You have won more outside Italy than in Italy… curious?
“Football is strange, but we made Atalanta a top club. For me it didn’t change much to go to other teams’.
What would you like to do for Monza?
‘Make it grow, it’s an ambitious club that gradually wants to become bigger. First let’s reach 40 points, then we’ll think about the rest’.
After the restart, you face Mou’s Roma: do you have any particular memories?
“Only one, the Europa League we won with Sevilla against him a few months ago…’.
Do you still enjoy playing?
“Lately I’m struggling a bit, maybe I’m more aware of my role. The more the years go by, the more you feel it’s a profession and not a game’.
What do you think of the betting case?
“While waiting for developments, I feel sorry. If it is an illness, you have to give them the chance to cure themselves. If it is not, you have to insist on education”.
You grew up with Messi: what does he transmit in the locker room?
“Humility and simplicity.
When you think of Palladino, what comes to mind?
“Attacking football. He likes to attack straight away, he has the mentality of a great team. If we help him, we’ll have fun. I like him.”
You arrived in Italy, at Catania, when you were 22: what did you think?
‘To do four or five years there and go back to Argentina. I stayed a little longer… (smiles, ed.)’.
Relationship with animals?
“I have a dog and a cat. I was afraid of cats years ago. When my daughter asked me for one it happened that Sampaoli, my coach at Sevilla, arrived with a Persian in the dressing room. He had to give it as a present because his wife was allergic, so I got it for my daughter’.
And the dog?
‘The dog… we were in Bergamo, we wanted to adopt a small one. We found it in a kennel in Naples. My wife went to get it… it wasn’t that one… bigger (laughs, ed.). His name is Bomber’
