Antonelli’s gamble that ended well has positively upset the season of Venice

He says he sees “a tsunami of passion”, Philip Antonelli. And in fact the undulatory lexicon combines well with the recent vicissitudes of the orange-and-green club: newly promoted to Serie A, immediately relegated, tied for last in B and today with a new playoff dream in the drawer. In less than two years. Adventure novel stuff. “We have closed a chapter,” the sports director who landed in the lagoon in December, in the midst of the storm, told Il Foglio. “But the mission isn’t over: now we’re only thinking about Perugia. Then to the next game. And so on, to build a winning mentality”.

Tomorrow at the Penzo stadium, after months in apnea, Venezia will be able to play with lightness in the body: the arithmetic salvation is reality. Two days early. “It was by no means obvious,” Antonelli underlines. “We were the rear of the championship, we undertook a technical revolution in the winter market, we were still in the balance in March”. Then in the last seven games came five wins and a draw. The rain goals (8 out of 18 total) by Joel Pohjanpalo, uncategorized striker, fresh from the Aic award as footballer of the month. And a newfound compactness. “Merit of the coach and his football ideas, finally assimilated”. Because Antonelli is not alone new entry in the orange and green house. Paolo Vanoli, former collaborator of Antonio Conte at Chelsea and Inter, had accepted the bench in the toughest moment. Then the club sold nine players by buying ten, dismantling what remained of the historic group. And in February he also changed behind the scenes, separating from chief brand officer And media director.

“When I arrived”, says the sports director, “I found a demotivated environment, immobilized by fear. It was necessary to risk something, betting on the motivations of the newcomers. Before signing, the club worked as a team. And together with Mr. Vanoli and the other members of the sports area, we looked the players in the eye: young people eager to put themselves to the test and some experience willing to be leaders. All convinced by the project, rather than by the engagement”.

Bet won, in retrospect. But it is worth remembering that in order to rescue an injured Venezia, Antonelli decided to leave his position at a Serie A club. At the culmination of a seven-year climb from the D. How is it possible? “I was fine in Monza”, explains the sporting director. “I will always reiterate that working with Galliani and Berlusconi is equivalent to a football master’s degree at university. They gave me so much, they allowed me to grow. I can only thank them. But I like building from scratch, creating a group that lasts over time: here it struck me that President Niederauer knew my story so well. I share the club’s values, its desire to rebuild.” And sometimes the farewells work for two: while the orange-greens went up the hierarchies of the cadetry, the red-and-whites did the same one category higher. “We continue to follow each other at a distance. After the 5-0 win over Modena”, Venezia’s biggest victory since amateurism, “I received a special phone call: it was Dr. Galliani. He wanted to compliment me ”.

Ultimate blessing. And now? “Now comes the fun part. Our ride is there for all to see. But behind the first team there is a solid youth sector, the girls in the Italian Cup final. And a strong infrastructural push: a romantic stadium like the Penzo has been given a shine, the new sports center”, while we write the works are proceeding quickly, “it will be an exceptional asset for the north-east. The outlook around Venice is positive. Even bigger than in the company’s history”. Antonelli raises the bar. “Our brand continues to grow internationally and we are taking root in the area: this combination can create competitiveness at the highest levels. And give these colors an unprecedented sporting visibility”.

The fans also perceive it, having returned to office after a dark parenthesis. “The most pleasant surprise”, admits Antonelli, “but I’ve always believed in it. There is a lot of hunger, a desire for revenge and great football: total cohesion between all the components. From the community to the institutions”. There are two games to go andVenice is ninth, one step away from the last place for the playoffs: if the movie ending doesn’t arrive, no regrets. “The president reminded the boys of the analogies with 2021: it was then, after a convincing salvation, that the foundations were laid for promotion”. The DS pauses. He thinks about it. “Perhaps the growth of the club had been too fast. But to be in Serie A, you have to work in Serie A. Always, regardless of the category.” Better an upward perpetual motion. And leave the waves to the sea, rather than to the ball.