Kapitel 22: First-Half Despair, Second-Half Resolve
"I know that you've been focused on the games lately and you're really busy, but please consider this for the club. Right now, countless media outlets and reporters are calling and inviting you for interviews. Faxes are piling up like snow—it's overwhelming. If you keep turning them down, it might reflect poorly on the club's image!"
At the Hellas Verona training ground, Giambattista Pastorello's tone was unusually accommodating, almost pleading. He clearly hoped Aymar Zambo would agree to an interview with the media.
Aymar sighed, reluctant but understanding. He took the list Pastorello handed him and found it covered in names. "Are all of these requests for exclusive interviews?"
Pastorello nodded with a sheepish smile. "Yes, more than 50 in total. I know you don't have time for all of them, so we thought you could just pick one. We'll handle the rest."
Aymar scanned the list, his brow furrowing slightly. Among the names, one stood out to him: Francesco Granelli, La Gazzetta dello Sport.
He tapped the name with his finger. "Let's go with Granelli. Schedule it for tomorrow at noon."
Pastorello looked surprised but nodded quickly. "Done. I'll let him know. Thank you, Aymar. Really, the club appreciates this."
The next day, Francesco Granelli arrived promptly at Aymar's office. Aymar greeted him with a firm handshake as the journalist entered.
"We meet again, Mr. Granelli!" Aymar said with a faint smile.
Granelli returned the handshake. "Indeed. Thank you for taking the time to meet me."
Aymar gestured for him to sit, his demeanor professional but approachable. "Let's get started. What do you want to know?"
Granelli opened his notebook, ready to dive into his prepared questions.
"I would like to ask Mr. Zambo, I remember during my first interview with you, you mentioned your goals. At that time, you had just arrived, and no one believed in them—there was widespread doubt. Did you ever doubt yourself?"
Aymar Zambo shook his head decisively. "No, never!"
After a brief pause, he added with a confident smile, "I've never been someone who doubts or denies myself."
"And your goal remains the same as before?"
"Yes, at least 54 points, or more if possible. We've earned 9 points from three wins, making it 13 points in total now," Aymar said, his smile widening with satisfaction.
"Congratulations, Coach Zambo. Hellas Verona is arguably the best-performing team in Serie B over the last three rounds. How would you rate your team? If you were to score their performance, how many points would you give them?"
"Ten out of ten—full marks. I couldn't ask for more from my players," Aymar answered without hesitation. "As I've said before, we're a strong team. We had some setbacks earlier, but now we're back on the right track."
"Can you share what methods you've used to achieve this turnaround?" Francesco Granelli asked with genuine curiosity.
Aymar leaned back slightly in his chair. "I'm not as extraordinary as some newspapers are making me out to be. Nor are my players superhuman. I simply teach them how to play good football and how to unite as a team."
Granelli nodded thoughtfully. "It seems many media outlets agree with you. Recently, they've been praising Verona's style of play, describing it as modern and cohesive."
"I think all teams should aspire to this style. It's the future of football," Aymar said confidently.
"What about the players?" Granelli pressed on.
Aymar smiled, shaking his head. "As you just said, we're playing as a team. When the team performs well, it's because everyone is contributing. Without each player's effort, there's no cohesion."
Granelli understood the coach's stance but wasn't ready to let go of the topic. "How would you evaluate Ferrante? He's scored four goals in the last three matches and seems to be thriving under your management. What have you done to help him?"
Aymar's expression softened, a touch of pride evident. "I haven't done anything extraordinary. Marco is a top professional—he always was, and he still is. All I've done is remind him of things he may have overlooked."
"For example?"
"I've reminded him, as I do all my players, that every professional should aim to leave something truly memorable in their career. It's not just about goals or trophies—it's about creating moments that, when they reflect on them years later, make them smile sincerely."
Granelli took a moment to absorb Aymar's words. For someone so young, his philosophy seemed profound.
"What about Cassani?"
Aymar's eyes lit up. "Mattia Cassani will be one of the best players, not just in Italy but in Europe."
"And Nicco?"
"Gianluca has immense potential. If he continues on this path, he can reach the very top."
"What about Torrisi? He's been a key part of your midfield setup."
"Emmanuele has made significant progress. He's maturing into the kind of player every coach dreams of having—a true asset in both defense and attack."
Granelli nodded, clearly impressed. He continued to ask about other players, and Aymar's responses remained measured and optimistic, offering thoughtful praise for each member of his squad.
"Lastly, if you could say one thing to your players right now, what would it be?"
Aymar paused briefly, then broke into a grin. "I think I'd say, 'Get ready, boys—there are probably a lot of people out there who think I'm arrogant right now.'"
Granelli laughed. "I believe, after these three games, fewer people will think that."
Aymar's grin grew more determined. "Then I'd tell them this: 'Gentlemen, this is only the beginning. Serie B is just a stepping stone—our true place is in Serie A. Let's give everything we have to secure promotion and show the world what Hellas Verona is truly capable of next season!'"
...
...
Serie B is just a stepping stone—our true place is in Serie A!
The next day, the front page of La Gazzetta dello Sport featured an exclusive interview with Aymar Zambo. The article, written by Francesco Granelli, faithfully captured their conversation. It caused a ripple effect, with reprints and commentary appearing in several respected media outlets, including Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport. The story spread far beyond Verona, as no other journalist had secured such an intimate look at the man behind the sudden transformation of Hellas Verona.
For Francesco Granelli, this was a career-defining moment. As he walked through the newsroom, colleagues nodded and congratulated him, treating him like a star journalist who had finally made his mark. Deep down, Granelli knew it was all thanks to Aymar Zambo, whose words and vision had captivated not just Verona but much of the Italian football world.
Reactions to the interview were mixed. Hellas Verona fans embraced Zambo's bold declaration with fervor. The coach's audacious claim—declaring that Serie B was merely a stepping stone and the team's rightful place was in Serie A—instilled pride and a newfound fighting spirit among the supporters. Even those who doubted the practicality of his ambition admired his unwavering belief and determination.
However, outside Verona, the response was far less favorable. Rival clubs and fans across Serie B scoffed at Zambo's confidence. Critics in the media dismissed his statements as naïve bravado, questioning how a team that had started the season with only four points from 21 matches could dream of promotion. Teams vying for the playoff spots or automatic promotion found his comments particularly grating, interpreting them as disrespectful.
Yet within the club, Zambo's words sparked something extraordinary. The players carried his vision onto the training ground with renewed energy. They began to believe, not just in Zambo's plan but in their ability to make the impossible possible.
"No relegation, and maybe even Serie A," became a quiet mantra among the players.
For the first time in years, Hellas Verona had a unifying goal. Players who had once seemed despondent and disconnected were now focused, driving each other forward, pushing harder in every drill. The cohesion and commitment infected everyone, from the coaching staff to the club's support staff.
It was the kind of atmosphere that every club dreams of but rarely achieves: a team truly united, working together toward a singular goal.
But such an atmosphere is fragile, vulnerable to disruption. A poor result, an unexpected injury, or even external distractions could derail everything Zambo had built.
As the next match loomed, the stakes felt higher than ever. Would Verona's newfound momentum prove to be unstoppable, or would their fragile optimism shatter under pressure? Only time would tell.
...
...
On February 24, in the 25th round of Serie B, Hellas Verona welcomed Genoa to the Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi. The match marked a critical juncture for Aymar Zambo and his squad, who sought to extend their winning streak and continue their improbable climb up the league table.
The game began with an air of caution from Verona, but Genoa's quality and experience quickly shone through. In just the 6th minute, a defensive lapse from Verona handed Genoa an early lead. A poorly cleared header by Louis Hutt landed directly at the feet of Genoa midfielder Marco Rossi, who struck a thunderous half-volley into the top corner. The Verona defense looked stunned as Genoa celebrated their 0-1 advantage.
The early goal rattled Verona, and Genoa capitalized on their momentum. Despite Verona's attempts to regain composure, their midfield struggled to maintain possession against Genoa's pressing. In the 38th minute, disaster struck again. Genoa's striker Giuseppe Greco made a clever run behind the Verona defense, receiving a precise through ball from Marco Rossi. With composure and precision, Greco slotted the ball past Francesco Franzese to double Genoa's lead to 0-2.
The home crowd, initially buoyant, fell into an uneasy silence, and the players' frustration became palpable. Verona pushed forward desperately in the final minutes of the first half, but their efforts were disjointed, and Genoa's defense held firm. The halftime whistle blew with the visitors firmly in control.
As the players trudged back to the locker room, Aymar Zambo stood at the entrance to greet them. Despite the scoreline, he maintained his composure, offering each player a pat on the back and a word of encouragement. Inside the locker room, however, the atmosphere was tense. The players' heads hung low, their frustration and doubt evident.
"This kind of situation is very dangerous," Pierino Fanna said quietly to Aymar as they stood at the entrance. "They're losing their confidence. If we can't stabilize them now, this game could spiral out of control."
"I know," Aymar replied with a calm nod. "I'll handle it."
Aymar pushed open the door and walked in. All the players immediately looked up at him, and many stood up. At this moment, Aymar was their only hope, savior, and spiritual pillar.
"What's wrong?" Aymar spread his hands and looked very helpless.
Then he laughed. "I think you all seem to have suddenly stopped playing football overnight. Can you tell me what's going on?"
The players bowed their heads one by one, choosing silence. No one spoke.
"Cassani, what happened to your sharp long-range shots and those late runs into the box? And how did you miss that clear header at the near post in the 31st minute? Your technique should be better than that!"
"And you, Ferrante, where was your movement? Why did I see you tangled up with the defenders for the entire half? Did they tie a rope to you, or do they owe you money?"
"And you, Cossu, you're supposed to be supporting Ferrante, finding those pockets of space to create opportunities. But you were invisible in the first half."
"Louis, Greco, Torrisi—you need to ask yourselves why Ferrante and Cossu don't trust you to do your job. Where's your composure? Where's your strength?"
Aymar's voice grew louder. "Who can answer me?"
No one did. Everyone remained silent, speechless.
"I said before that we are a team—a machine. Each of you is a part of that machine, and for it to run smoothly, every part needs to function properly. If one piece fails, the whole system collapses."
"I've said it many times: a team must attack as one and defend as one. The midfield and backline need to step up and support the attack, just as the forwards need to track back and provide the first line of defense. That's the only way we can keep our momentum going and maintain control."
"I watched the entire first half. You gave Genoa too much respect. You started retreating, unsure of yourselves. And they took advantage of that! But that goal—those two goals—don't matter now. What matters is what we do next. We have the strength to turn this game around."
His voice softened slightly. "Stay calm. Stay focused. Stick to the game plan. Trust in each other, just like I trust all of you."
"I've said it before: if we want promotion, we need every point we can get. If we lose this game, the rest of the season becomes meaningless. Think about that. I know you understand what this game means."
After saying this, Aymar turned and walked out of the locker room, leaving behind a group of silent players, each grappling with his words.
Just about 2 minutes after Aymar went out, Marco Ferrante suddenly stood up. He was the captain of the team and the most experienced player. All eyes immediately turned to him.
"I think the boss is right. We did get lost in the first half. Our first 21 rounds of the season were nightmares—the most terrible and cruel nightmare. It was a dark world. We forgot how to play, but the boss led us out of that darkness and brought us light and hope."
Ferrante paused, his gaze sweeping over his teammates. "I remember, he told me that everyone must leave something in their career. At that time, I told myself: I'm 36 years old, and I will retire soon. With age, there isn't much chance to squander. If I want to leave something meaningful, this season is my best opportunity."
He continued, his tone soft but insistent. "Maybe for some of you, there's still a future, but for me, I might not have one. This game, this season, I have to fight with everything I have because I'm afraid I won't get another chance."
His words resonated deeply. The room was silent, the weight of his message settling over them. Then, slowly, one by one, his teammates began to nod.
"I know we can turn this around," Ferrante said, his voice steady. "We've done it before. Let's go out there and show them what Verona is made of."
Aymar watched the shift in mood with satisfaction. As the team prepared to head back out, Ferrante turned to him and said, "We've got this, coach. Just watch."
Aymar's grin widened. "That's what I want to hear. Now, let's go win this thing."
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
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Rangliste 
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Stein