Zaccardo: “Inzaghi is right, Palermo has a Champions League crowd”

Cristian Zaccardo has no doubts: Pippo Inzaghi is the ideal leader to bring Palermo back to Serie A. The former defender, world champion in 2006 and protagonist in Guidolin's Grande Palermo, returned to Palermo today at the Country Time Club for a special padel match with Dida, Legrottaglie and Amelia, but the occasion was also a moment to talk about the future of the Sicilian club and the national team. "Every time I come back here I feel at home and I get emotional, a beautiful city and extraordinary years with the Palermo shirt", is Zaccardo's first thought.

“We all hope that Pippo is really the right man. Beyond the emotional bond that unites us – we played together in the national team and then I had him as a coach at Milan – for me he can be the leader capable of bringing Palermo back to Serie A”, says Zaccardo on the sidelines of the FIP Silver Mediolanum Padel Cup. “Pippo is right, this is a place that for enthusiasm and size would be a Champions League place. I have lived four splendid years here, the city deserves high-level football and a great stage. As a former rosanero I am and remain a fan, I will root for him and for the whole team and coming back here is always exciting”.

Between an autograph and some exchanges on the padel court, Zaccardo also commented on the delicate moment of the Italian national team. “We come from complicated years, with two failed qualifications for the World Cup and a disappointing European Championship. Now Gattuso has arrived and I hope he is the right person to start again. I played with Rino in the national team, I didn't have him as a coach, but we all know him well. He is direct, passionate, he lives for football, like Pippo: for them football comes first, 24 hours a day. Gattuso has faced many difficulties on his path, and perhaps he gives his best precisely in difficult moments”, observes the former defender, who on September 5 will go to Bergamo to cheer on Italy live against Estonia: “I will definitely be there, it is a very important match and I cannot miss it”. The reflection on the national team also leaves room for a positive consideration: "It's true, we no longer have the team full of top players that we had in my day, but we're not bad either. Maybe we won't be the favorites, but we can compete with anyone as long as we stay united and believe in it until the end".

Finally, a thought on his new career in padel. Will he put on a show in this sport too? “No, I remain humble! – he smiles – I am discreet in padel, I don't play often because I travel a lot. But it is a beautiful sport, in Italy everyone loves it, especially us former footballers. Some are really high level, I would say I am average. I still have to grow, but the important thing is to have fun, be together and give emotions”, he says before taking to the field at the Mediolanum Padel Cup.