The Atalanta coach: «When they built the first real pitch here, we climbed over the fence and then ran away when the custodian came to chase us. Now everyone can play freely.”
«My aunt still lives there and I played football here with friends. Other times, we used poplars as poles and slalomed between the trees.” He is moved Gian Piero Gasperiniwho returned to his home this morning, November 16th Grugliasco and was welcomed by an affectionate crowd. THE’Atalanta coach he had to keep a promise, made almost two years ago, when for one day he wore the sash of mayor of the city where he was born. «I would like to do one thing as mayor pro tempore, without causing disasters – he said on 5 December 2022. I would like to create a free football pitch where kids can play whenever they want.”
Gasperini: «Here I keep the memories of a lifetime»
Subsequently Gasperini wrote one letter to the mayor of Grugliasco Emanuele Gaito: «I was born in Grugliasco, like my father Giuseppe and for over 60 years my home has always been in Grugliasco, in via Don Caustico, on the corner of via Aldo Rossi, right where today the renovation of the garden named after Giorgio Perlasca is being planned. From that place I left to pursue my career and I have always returned to that place. Here I keep the memories of a lifetimefrom my parents to my children, relatives, friends. With this spirit, I am honored to contribute to the creation of a space for recreational activities that has contributed so much to my professional sporting experience.”
Today that idea has become reality and the coach has the multi-purpose pitch for five-a-side football was inaugurated and basketball, created, with its fundamental contribution, by the Bergamo-based Sit-In Sport Impianti inside the Giorgio Perlasca municipal garden, in via Don Caustico, on the corner of via Aldo Rossi.
The pitch named after the parents
Reaching the camp was no easy feat. Hundreds of people and many children waited at the Gasp for a handshakea hug or an autograph. «I thank Gian Piero Gasperini for the proposal accepted by us with enthusiasm to donate this multipurpose field to our city – said the mayor Gaito and the councilor Lorenzoni – It is nice to find the attachment to one’s origins and to the community in which one grew up by those who, like Mr. Gasperini, have achieved and continue to achieve great successes. The Grugliasco community is grateful to him for thinking of the many children and young people who will be able to use this facility freely. And who knows, maybe there might be a future champion among them. The decision of name the field after Gasperini’s parents further strengthens the bond with our city.”
Kick-off
After greeting old youth team mates, friends and his sister Susanna, Gasp gave the signal kick-off of the first match between two teams of children: «This is my home, it’s a great emotion and I thank the administration for this opportunity. When I played here my parents came to watch me. Knowing that this field is named after them makes me feel even closer to them. And I hope that their “presence” helps these kids. When they built the first real camp here, we would climb over the fence and then run away when the caretaker came after us. Now everyone will be able to play freely here.” The coach showed his dribbling ability when he avoided questions about Atalanta’s championship chances and those about a possible return to Juventus: «I feel great in Bergamo, I found a wonderful reality. And we will think about the championship from next week. Today is a celebration.”
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