Rossi Interview

DJH · 29th October 2005, 05:55

Translated from Il Giornale

”Paisan Giuseppe” - Manchester at the feet of the other Rossi

by Gian Piero Scevola

Pappa Ferdinando as a teacher, Ruud Van Nistelrooy as a fan and Sir Alex Ferguson as a divine guardian. With these credentials “Little” Giuseppe Rossi, 18 years old as of last February, has become the idol of the Red Devils of Manchester, or better known simply as ‘United.’ And in last Wednesday evening’s Champions League game against their French opponent Lille, all of Old Trafford was chanting his name.

And what a fashionable surname it is. Just think of Valentino in the word of motorcycle racing. Then there is Paolo Rossi, well known for his feats in the 1982 World Cup in Spain. Giuseppe, born in Teaneck, New Jersey (where father Ferdinando, from Abruzzo, immigrated in 1966 and in Clifton married fellow teacher Cleonilde, from Molise), transferred to Parma at age 12 with his parents, where he was immediately registered to the club that was then under control of the Tanzi family. At the beginning of 2004 an Italian scout from Manchester United notified Ferguson of him. So many goals with the Parma youth team helped to make the dream come true.

“And no sooner said than done, on July 6th, 2004 I signed a professional contract with Manchester United, something that Parma didn’t want to offer me,” says Rossi.

But what did a young man like you feel then at having been catapulted into a great club like Manchester?
“It was the crowning of my desires. Ever since I was a little boy I dreamed of playing for Milan, the team of my heart. Van Basten was my idol then, today it’s Shevchenko. My dad, a professor of Italian, P.E. and a soccer coach at Clifton College, got me started at 4 years old. I was a striker right away, and I had an insane desire to score goals.”

So it was predestined. And then?
“For 8 years I had fun in the U.S., but my coaches saw something special in me and they all contributed to my improvement, from Roberto Della Pina, the first one, to Davide Ballardini at Parma.”

Four and a half years at Parma, however, didn’t convince them to sign you to a professional contract. Was this explained to you?
“In 2004 Parma was going through a serious financial crisis. No one even knew if I would be signed up for that season. I had other options to consider, and then I decided to jump on this opportunity.”

Better still that you didn’t have problems with the language.
“English is my first language, but apart from that I felt comfortable right away. There were no prejudices towards me, maybe because I was a kid and no one saw me as a rival.”

But then the kid grew up.
“What got me noticed and appreciated were the 17 goals I scored in the Manchester United reserves, which is comparable to the Primavera championship in Italy, and the 4 out of 5 trophies won in 2004-2005. It came to the point where Van Nistelrooy followed the games on MUTV and began to cheer for me like crazy.”

And what did you feel when you found yourself in front of Sir Alex Ferguson?
“Wow, what a personality! It’s awe inspiring just to see him. I couldn’t believe it when he put me on the first team.”

Last Saturday you scored a goal at Sunderland in your Premier League debut.
“I didn’t expect it. I was on the bench when Ruud came off and Ferguson told me the same thing he said to me on the first day, ‘Go on, Giuseppe. Play your game and have fun.’ And I also scored a goal. But it’s easy with so many great players around. It’s amazing to play with Rooney. I play in a more advanced position and we switch a lot. We have a natural understanding.”

What did you feel last Wednesday when you heard all of Old Trafford wanting you on the field?
“I got goose bumps.”

Who do you feel that you resemble?
“I’m left-footed, but I’m good with my right, too. Those who have coached me compare me to Raul at Real Madrid; a forward with mobility.”

You are considered the new “wonder kid”, the young prodigy in Ferguson’s collection. Quite a responsibility, don’t you think?
“Absolutely. But I like the challenge, even if I still have a million things to learn. And here I can do it in tranquility.”

At Manchester they talk about the 3 ‘Golden R’s’: Rooney, Ronaldo, and Ruud. Now with Rossi they have four. Could that make you big headed?
“I have my feet on the ground. There’s a reason why I have number 42. I only need to learn. I have Van Nistelrooy as a teacher. He took me under his wing like a big brother, and he’s full of advice. When I scored he ran off the bench and celebrated as if it were his goal.”

Any regrets for Italy?
“None. The soccer here is the most beautiful, and on the human side as well. I can go to the pub with my friends or out on the street in peace, all without being stressed out by fans.”

But do you manage to follow the Serie A?
“Certainly! And I hope that Milan wins the scudetto.”

http://www.ilgiornale.it/a.pic1?ID=37263

Rat · 29th October 2005, 06:18

Great Kid

Red15 · 29th October 2005, 07:35

I followed him in the reserves all last year on MUTV. Have to admit as the season moved along, I was looking forward to watching him play in the reserves as much as I was watching some of United's matches. I kept waiting and hoping he'd be given a chance in the first team. Great to see he's finally made his breakthrough.

I see Fergie's also talking him up in today's papers.

http://sport.telegraph.co.uk/sport/m...9/sfnman29.xml

spinoza · 29th October 2005, 08:04

A Milan fan, of all things.

Never mind.

^Red Devil^ · 29th October 2005, 08:07

is he on the bench today?

Redfighter · 29th October 2005, 09:07

Awesome! It's great that Ruuds been so supportive of him. I was at the Sunderland match and when Rossi scored Ruud jumped up off the bench and ran to the touchline, you could tell he wanted to run on the pitch a celebrate with Rossi. Who says the team spirit isn't as strong as it was!

very Ruud · 29th October 2005, 11:35

Great read.

Escobar · 29th October 2005, 11:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redfighter

Awesome! It's great that Ruuds been so supportive of him. I was at the Sunderland match and when Rossi scored Ruud jumped up off the bench and ran to the touchline, you could tell he wanted to run on the pitch a celebrate with Rossi. Who says the team spirit isn't as strong as it was!

That was great!!!

The main reason why our reserve football became so popular was simply because of Rossi, everyone just wanted to watch him! Will be a great player... Fergie, make room for him!

Number7 · 29th October 2005, 12:51

Brilliant read.

Thanks for posting DJH

ManUtdRed · 29th October 2005, 12:54

Very interesting read, I expect him to be a great player for us.

Abbsta · 29th October 2005, 17:35

Good read and very encouraging.

TheDevil'sOwn · 29th October 2005, 18:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abbsta

Good read and very encouraging.

Except for that "Milan is the team of my heart" bit.

The Bros. Custis will have him off to Italy by the end of the weekend.

29th October 2005, 05:55	#1 (permalink)
DJH Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: The Land of the Long White Cloud Posts: 1,040	Rossi Interview Translated from Il Giornale ”Paisan Giuseppe” - Manchester at the feet of the other Rossi by Gian Piero Scevola Pappa Ferdinando as a teacher, Ruud Van Nistelrooy as a fan and Sir Alex Ferguson as a divine guardian. With these credentials “Little” Giuseppe Rossi, 18 years old as of last February, has become the idol of the Red Devils of Manchester, or better known simply as ‘United.’ And in last Wednesday evening’s Champions League game against their French opponent Lille, all of Old Trafford was chanting his name. And what a fashionable surname it is. Just think of Valentino in the word of motorcycle racing. Then there is Paolo Rossi, well known for his feats in the 1982 World Cup in Spain. Giuseppe, born in Teaneck, New Jersey (where father Ferdinando, from Abruzzo, immigrated in 1966 and in Clifton married fellow teacher Cleonilde, from Molise), transferred to Parma at age 12 with his parents, where he was immediately registered to the club that was then under control of the Tanzi family. At the beginning of 2004 an Italian scout from Manchester United notified Ferguson of him. So many goals with the Parma youth team helped to make the dream come true. “And no sooner said than done, on July 6th, 2004 I signed a professional contract with Manchester United, something that Parma didn’t want to offer me,” says Rossi. But what did a young man like you feel then at having been catapulted into a great club like Manchester? “It was the crowning of my desires. Ever since I was a little boy I dreamed of playing for Milan, the team of my heart. Van Basten was my idol then, today it’s Shevchenko. My dad, a professor of Italian, P.E. and a soccer coach at Clifton College, got me started at 4 years old. I was a striker right away, and I had an insane desire to score goals.” So it was predestined. And then? “For 8 years I had fun in the U.S., but my coaches saw something special in me and they all contributed to my improvement, from Roberto Della Pina, the first one, to Davide Ballardini at Parma.” Four and a half years at Parma, however, didn’t convince them to sign you to a professional contract. Was this explained to you? “In 2004 Parma was going through a serious financial crisis. No one even knew if I would be signed up for that season. I had other options to consider, and then I decided to jump on this opportunity.” Better still that you didn’t have problems with the language. “English is my first language, but apart from that I felt comfortable right away. There were no prejudices towards me, maybe because I was a kid and no one saw me as a rival.” But then the kid grew up. “What got me noticed and appreciated were the 17 goals I scored in the Manchester United reserves, which is comparable to the Primavera championship in Italy, and the 4 out of 5 trophies won in 2004-2005. It came to the point where Van Nistelrooy followed the games on MUTV and began to cheer for me like crazy.” And what did you feel when you found yourself in front of Sir Alex Ferguson? “Wow, what a personality! It’s awe inspiring just to see him. I couldn’t believe it when he put me on the first team.” Last Saturday you scored a goal at Sunderland in your Premier League debut. “I didn’t expect it. I was on the bench when Ruud came off and Ferguson told me the same thing he said to me on the first day, ‘Go on, Giuseppe. Play your game and have fun.’ And I also scored a goal. But it’s easy with so many great players around. It’s amazing to play with Rooney. I play in a more advanced position and we switch a lot. We have a natural understanding.” What did you feel last Wednesday when you heard all of Old Trafford wanting you on the field? “I got goose bumps.” Who do you feel that you resemble? “I’m left-footed, but I’m good with my right, too. Those who have coached me compare me to Raul at Real Madrid; a forward with mobility.” You are considered the new “wonder kid”, the young prodigy in Ferguson’s collection. Quite a responsibility, don’t you think? “Absolutely. But I like the challenge, even if I still have a million things to learn. And here I can do it in tranquility.” At Manchester they talk about the 3 ‘Golden R’s’: Rooney, Ronaldo, and Ruud. Now with Rossi they have four. Could that make you big headed? “I have my feet on the ground. There’s a reason why I have number 42. I only need to learn. I have Van Nistelrooy as a teacher. He took me under his wing like a big brother, and he’s full of advice. When I scored he ran off the bench and celebrated as if it were his goal.” Any regrets for Italy? “None. The soccer here is the most beautiful, and on the human side as well. I can go to the pub with my friends or out on the street in peace, all without being stressed out by fans.” But do you manage to follow the Serie A? “Certainly! And I hope that Milan wins the scudetto.” http://www.ilgiornale.it/a.pic1?ID=37263

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29th October 2005, 06:18	#2 (permalink)
Rat Youth Team Player Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Australia Posts: 190	Great Kid

29th October 2005, 07:35	#3 (permalink)
Red15 Reserve Team Player Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 2,798	I followed him in the reserves all last year on MUTV. Have to admit as the season moved along, I was looking forward to watching him play in the reserves as much as I was watching some of United's matches. I kept waiting and hoping he'd be given a chance in the first team. Great to see he's finally made his breakthrough. I see Fergie's also talking him up in today's papers. http://sport.telegraph.co.uk/sport/m...9/sfnman29.xml

29th October 2005, 08:04	#4 (permalink)
spinoza Paz's ion Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Walking in a whisky wonderland. Posts: 24,186	A Milan fan, of all things. Never mind.

29th October 2005, 08:07	#5 (permalink)
^Red Devil^ Reserve Team Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Newton Heath L&YR F.C. Posts: 1,438	is he on the bench today?

29th October 2005, 09:07	#6 (permalink)
Redfighter First Team Sub Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: At the secret training camp for United Militia Posts: 5,248	Awesome! It's great that Ruuds been so supportive of him. I was at the Sunderland match and when Rossi scored Ruud jumped up off the bench and ran to the touchline, you could tell he wanted to run on the pitch a celebrate with Rossi. Who says the team spirit isn't as strong as it was!

29th October 2005, 11:35	#7 (permalink)
very Ruud Spam, Spam, Spam.... Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Finland Posts: 20,758	Great read.

29th October 2005, 12:51	#9 (permalink)
Number7 Ret's Slave Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: I am very enjoy Posts: 28,165	Brilliant read. Thanks for posting DJH

29th October 2005, 12:54	#10 (permalink)
ManUtdRed Banned Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: I am a twat! Posts: 4,613	Very interesting read, I expect him to be a great player for us.

29th October 2005, 17:35	#11 (permalink)
Abbsta Reserve Team Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: London Posts: 2,679	Good read and very encouraging.