Giampiero Ventura’s wife Luciana gave some insight into the Italy Coach. “He loves impossible challenges and gives everyone a chance.”
The Azzurri face Liechtenstein in tonight’s World Cup qualifier at 19.45 GMT.
68-year-old Ventura married 40-year-old Luciana Lacriola on June 1 in her home town of Bari.
“I was a super Bari fan and fell in love first of all with Giampiero’s style of football, as that 4-2-4 tactic guaranteed entertaining and aggressive matches,” she told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Giampiero Ventura’s wife Luciana gave some insight into the Italy Coach. “He loves impossible challenges and gives everyone a chance.”
The Azzurri face Liechtenstein in tonight’s World Cup qualifier at 19.45 GMT.
68-year-old Ventura married 40-year-old Luciana Lacriola on June 1 in her home town of Bari.
“I was a super Bari fan and fell in love first of all with Giampiero’s style of football, as that 4-2-4 tactic guaranteed entertaining and aggressive matches,” she told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“We were introduced by a mutual friend and when we met up again in Turin, we realised our feelings went beyond mere friendship.
“I am a wife who tries to stay in the shadows, but also remain present. We often travel and in order to dedicate myself to his hours I left my job. At Torino I’d even go by bicycle for 16km every morning with him. Ice, rain, wind and snow: nothing would stop him. If that’s not love…”
Luciana said the greatest moment was Torino’s historic Europa League victory away to Athletic Bilbao and 1,500 fans greeting the side at the airport at 3am.
On the other hand, the worst incident was the banner from Granata ultras urging Ventura to leave. “It was unfair and ungrateful towards someone who gave Toro five years of his life. I was alongside him, so I know what physical and mental toll it took out on him.
“Over the summer we were on vacation in Sicily and convinced we’d be coming back to Torino for pre-season, but on the beach he received a phone call from Marcello Lippi. Soon after President Carlo Tavecchio, who got Torino’s blessing, rang up too and proposed Giampiero take the Italy job.
“He was so happy and I was in seventh heaven. I really hoped he would get that role, because I saw it as the crowning moment of his career. Italians have always been very complimentary about his style of football, even Juventus fans would stop us in the street to congratulate us in Turin.
“We’re still getting used to the life of an Italy Coach. Giampiero is nostalgic and misses the time spent on the training ground, the daily rapport with players. He’ll have to get used to it.
“Giampiero loves impossible challenges. Look at how many players were reborn under his guidance. He took Ciro Immobile after a rough year at Genoa and few believed in him, but he was transformed into the Capocannoniere with 22 goals.
“Alessio Cerci was misunderstood, but in Giampiero’s hands became a golden figure. The same goes for Matteo Darmian, Angelo Ogbonna and many others.”
Does she think Italy ought to recall Mario Balotelli?
“I think anyone has the right to be given a chance, as long as they deserved it on the pitch, regardless of their name.”
How has Ventura handled the criticism of his early games on the Azzurri bench?
“We’re used to this in Italy. It’s not like elsewhere, we know that here everyone thinks they are a Coach. There ought to be more balance. After all, we are top of the group alongside Spain.”
Cesare Prandelli was famously criticised by the media for allowing players to bring their families along to the Brazil World Cup.
“Giampiero has categorically banned me from getting close to the pitch during training sessions and games. In Russia I might go as a fan. In fact, I will start the appeal now for other wives and girlfriends to come with me to cheer on the Azzurri.
“I am ready to organise a bus tour, just of women, all dressed in blue, obviously.”