From the Italian minor leagues to the qualifications for the Concacaf Nations League. C’é chi va ai Caribbean and it does not do it for tourism. It is the suggestive parable of Antonio Natalucci, Gianluigi Sueva e Antonio Santurroall called up by the national team of Dominican Republic for the last window of international competitions. Things that can happen if you have the double passport thanks to the origins of your parents.
The first of the “los italianos” to receive the call of the Caribbean selection, in October 2020, was Natalucci. The defender of the Monopolyformed in the youth of the Lazio and with a past between Nardò, Triestina, Novara and Cavese, however, he made his debut only a few months later, in a friendly match with Serbia. “The day of my debut I remember it with affection and joy, even if I took the field with 38 of fever. All in all, however, I did quite well, ”she told ilfattoqoutidiano.it.
Returning to the homeland of one’s ancestors, retracing their footsteps in the opposite direction, was also an opportunity for a family reunification always wanted. “In March I received my first call-up and tried one sensation beautiful, primarily of great pride. In addition, at the end of the races, I finally had the opportunity to meet i for the first time my uncles and all the other relatives who had come to watch the game. It was an emotional moment that I will always carry in my heart, ”he recalled Gianluigi Suevaquick and flexible striker, in the last six months under the al Powerin Lega Pro.
He thinks so too Antonio Santurro, the latest arrival in the Italian-Dominican colony. “As a child I often went to Republic Dominican Republic. I have always had a good relationship with the culture of this country. Representing the country my mother left in search of one better life it can only be a source of great pride for me ”. The goalkeeper owned by Udinese, with a long experience in minors between the poles of Melfi, SavoyJuve Stabia, Syracuse and Catania, received the first call-up in May, debuting a few days ago in the daring home defeat (2-3) with the French Guiana. An accident that is probably part of the growth path that began in March with the arrival at the helm of Iñaki Bea. “Iñaki is a very prepared coach, a great professional, very careful to details. You have a European-style mentality ”, explains Natalucci.
The Basque technical commissioner, with a past as a historical deputy of Jose Luis Mendilibar, brought a wave of enthusiasm and ambitions to a national team accustomed to sailing beyond the 150th position del ranking FIFAwhich came out of football anonymity only in 2010when he trimmed 17 goals at British Virgin Islandsregistering the largest victory in the history of the Concacaf (the Central American and Caribbean confederation). There are, however, the conditions for changing the situation. Or at least Sueva seems to be strongly convinced: “For the qualities we have, we absolutely do not deserve that position. By working hard we will succeed in go up the slope. We are a united and young group, with a great desire to grow and work. One of our goals is the qualification at the Gold Cup“.
A goal that Bea wants to reach without speculating. On the contrary, by proposing a type of football proactiveof possession, as in the best Spanish tradition: “He always asks us to play the ball and never throw it away, even if we’re under pressure, ”Sueva adds. The path, however, is only at the beginning. If the long-term dream is there gold Cup, the reality is the Nations League. Returning to the Concaf Nations Championship, which they already participated in in 2019-20 is the absolute priority for the “Quisqueyanos”(As the players of the Dominican national team are nicknamed). Also because it can be the perfect springboard for the Gold Cup 2023. In the meantime, “los italianos” will have time to learn the words of “Quisqueyanos valientes”, thenational anthemand Dominican written by Emilio Prud’ Man and set to music by Joseph Rufino Kings Siancas.
An “effort” that Natalucci can’t wait to make: “Here the hymn is already taught to leave from kindergarten. I grew up with the Italian anthem, but it is not a problem: I will also study the Dominican one with pleasure, hoping that my adventure with the national team can continue for a long time“.
