Antonio Di Gennaro was the director of the team coached by Osvaldo Bagnoli who on 12 May 1985 created an extraordinary company: “It was a very strong team with the two foreigners Briegel and Elkjaer who made us make the qualitative leap”
Forty years ago, another Italy, another football. And an extraordinary company created by Verona led by Osvaldo Bagnoli, a father for those guys who scaled all the peaks until they reach the top. The parades of Garella, the Di Gennaro class, the power of Briegel and Elkjaer, the speed of Fanna, thestitnto of Galderisi’s goal. A well -assorted mix that led to the first and only championship conquered by Verona.
Antonio Di Gennaro was the director of that Verona. What season was it?
That Verona was very strong, but we didn’t think at the Scudetto. We had salvation in mind every year, but slowly the company built a very strong team and Bagnoli did the rest with its simplicity: everyone in his place and each gave their best. Everyone speaks of a miracle, but after the promotion of the B we had made two quarter -seats and two finals of the Italian Cup unfortunately lost. A team already strong that was completed by foreigners who immediately integrated into the group.
So much quality in that Verona.
Briegel was an intuition of Bagnoli, he played full -back in the German national team and Bagnoli put him a median and sent him to score Maradona and Briegel also made nine goals without penalties. Bagnoli always played with two points, he liked to attack and then the exteriors Fanna and Marangon who always attacked. A mentality that the coach shaped and then with the two foreigners we took off.
What man was Bagnoli?
If you made it on the pitch, he didn’t care, he left you free. I separated from my first wife and went to talk to him, told him about my problem and he helped me appreciate the person who confided. Something more than the coach, he said that everyone has to play as he can do without preparing many things.
Companies like a family, and Ciccio Mascetti was the architect.
Our older brother, great footballer and great man. As a manager it was fantastic, he completed himself with Bagnoli, he also gave him the right space in terms of communication.
Was there a decisive moment of the season?
Three moments: the victory in Turin against the grenade with garella that made exceptional parades and then in Udine against Udinese, we go ahead 3-1 then they make us the 3-3 and with Fontalan we looked in the eyes thinking we had lost the championship, then we won 5-3. And then the draw in Turin against Juve, who could return to the Scudetto lap and we blocked it.
Would it now be more difficult to repeat that company for a small club?
After us he won the Scudetto La Sampdoria of Mantovani who, however, had great capital. Now there are teams like Atalanta who are fine in football and who have made an exceptional path by winning the Europa League, but above all by repeating important results every year. Percassi and Gasperini have done something exceptional. In short, it is difficult but doing things seriously can do everything.
Sunday great party at Bentegodi and Verona almost safe.
Yes, it was great to find the old companions and celebrate with people at the stadium. The new Verona has important ideas with the new property; The new stadium and the sports center that are fundamental steps. The Verona of the next few years I hope can grow again and climb the ranking a little.
