Piccini’s first interview as a Nerazzurro

First day as an Atalanta player for Cristiano Piccini, who immediately trained at the Bortolotti Centre in Zingonia. Here is his first interview as a Nerazzurri player.

“I’m really happy to have returned home. Spain had become like my home, I’ve spent many years there. Luckily, I’ve lived in beautiful cities and played for important teams. Going back to Italy is something very nice for me, as I have a little girl now and my parents can enjoy more time with her”. 

“As an Italian who follows the Italian league, I obviously knew that Atalanta were an important side, with great individual talents and a great group, with a fantastic style of play. They played two great games against Valencia, both the 1st and 2nd leg. They deservedly won. I think Atalanta are a beautiful and important team”.

“When I arrived here, I saw the training ground in Zingonia and I was amazed. I believe that Atalanta are a great club. Seeing the facilities they have, they really are at the level of a top club. I played for Valencia, Betis, Sporting, who are great club but don’t have a training centre like this. Everything here is at the vanguard. I think that there’s been hard work behind this, which has brought good results in recent years. I think they’re doing things well, they’re doing it big, at the right times, with the right steps and I’m proud and honoured to have joined this club”.

“Cristiano is a guy that started from the bottom, who has played in all divisions. Serie C in Carrara, Serie B in Spezia, Serie A in Livorno, where we were also relegated. Then I left for Spain, I joined Betis in Segunda División, we won the championship. I stayed there two more years for a three years total in Primera División. After that, I joined Sporting, I played in the Champions League with Sporting Lisbon and then Valencia bought me. I joined Valencia and we won a Copa del Rey, after 11 years without reaching finals and winning trophies and I reached the Italy international team. I’m a guy who hasn’t been given anything from anyone, who has overcome two serious injuries, with hard work, dedication, passion. I’m a hard worker”. 

"My objective is to go back to the pitch, to feel like a footballer again, which was quite difficult in the last year and obviously do well here, then the rest will follow, i.e. the Italy squad, the European championship and everything. The main thing is to feel good here and do well". 

"I do not want to say too much as I've just arrived and I have not the power to do so. Seen from the outside, I think that Atalanta have what it takes to aim for everything, to make a good impression in the league, to win a trophy, and as they proved last year, to do well also in the Champions League. However, I believe we should keep our feet on the ground and work, like they have done so far, I think. Then the results will come".