MILAN – It was clear from a very young age that he had talent. About the saxophone, though. <a href="https://time.news/inter-on-martial-with-gudmundsson-all-the-tracks-on-the-attack/" title="Inter on Martial. With Gudmundsson, all the tracks on the attack”>Gaetano Oristaniowho will be this evening at San Siro with the Venezia shirt facing the Inter he grew up with, one of the footballers who could have done anything else in life. He was good at school. He had such an ear that his parents enrolled him in secondary school, where the saxophone was an instrument. But Rosario’s dad, who as a boy had reached Serie C, always hoped that his other ability, his ability with the ball, would prevail. And he got it right.
Original growth path
At 22, the boy born in Vallo di Lucania, and raised in Roccadaspide in the Salerno area, is one of the pillars of Di Francesco’s team. A left-footed midfielder, he can play anywhere in midfield. And UEFA included him, this week, among the youngsters in Europe most skilled in ball control and dribbling. Oristanio, who is about to make his first professional appearance, has had an unusual path for an Italian footballer. After his youth career with Inter, where he reached the age of thirteen and won the U16 and U17 championships with them, he played for two years in the Netherlands, taking part in the promotion of Volendam to the Eredivisie and earning an internship with Mancini’s national team, before moving to Cagliari at the start of last season.
From Ranieri to Eriksen, his models
Claudio Ranieri, who said of him at Cagliari that ”he is someone who does not give up and when he really doesn’t have it he has the courage to ask for a change”, was not the first great coach that Oristanio worked with. At Inter, as a boy, he had the opportunity to train with Antonio Conte. Of those sessions with the first team, he remembers one teammate above all: “Eriksen impressed me with his humility, he is very kind and always available. He always had a word of comfort or advice for me, who was 16 years old,” as he told Calciomercato.com. In Inter’s youth team he was very close to Sebastiano Esposito, on loan at Empoli, and goalkeeper Filip Stankovic, his current teammate (and based in training camp) in Venice. Like him, she loves the city, and goes into the alleys when she has the chance. And he is watching movies, which he is very passionate about.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Football Expert on Gaetano Oristanio’s Journey
Time.news Editor: Good evening, and thank you for joining us today. We’re excited to delve into the inspiring journey of Gaetano Oristanio, particularly as he prepares to face his former club Milano this evening in San Siro. Joining us to discuss his story is renowned football expert, Dr. Laura Marcon.
Dr. Laura Marcon: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here, especially to talk about such a promising talent like Oristanio.
Editor: Let’s start from the beginning. Oristanio showed remarkable skills from a young age—not only in football but also with the saxophone. How do you think this diverse talent influenced his development as a player?
Dr. Marcon: It’s fascinating, isn’t it? Having a musical background can enhance a player’s cognitive skills, such as rhythm, timing, and coordination—qualities essential in football. Music requires discipline and practice, traits that translate well on the pitch. So, although he might have opted for a different path, his musical upbringing likely contributed to his understanding of the game.
Editor: Very insightful! His father, Rosario, had hopes for him in football after his own experiences in Serie C. How do family influences shape a young athlete’s career, especially in Oristanio’s case?
Dr. Marcon: Family support is crucial for developing athletes. Rosario’s aspirations must have created a conducive environment for Gaetano, encouraging him to pursue football seriously. When a parent has a background in the sport, they can provide unique insights and guidance. This relationship often fosters a strong work ethic, which is essential for success in competitive environments.
Editor: You mentioned his work ethic—it’s apparent that Oristanio has made significant progress to become one of the pillars of Di Francesco’s team at such a young age. What qualities do you think have contributed to his rapid ascent in professional football?
Dr. Marcon: First and foremost, his technical ability is impressive, especially for a left-footed midfielder. His versatility is a significant asset; being able to adapt to various positions allows coaches to utilize him effectively in different strategies. He also appears to have a strong footballing intelligence; he seems able to read the game well and make decisive plays. Add to this his eagerness to learn, and it creates a perfect recipe for success.
Editor: As he steps onto the San Siro pitch tonight, what do you anticipate will be going through his mind, facing his former club?
Dr. Marcon: It’s a complex mix of emotions for a player returning to their roots. There will certainly be excitement and a desire to prove himself against a familiar backdrop. However, there’s also pressure—he’ll want to perform well not only for his current team but also to show his former club what they might have missed. It’s a pivotal moment that can be both motivating and daunting.
Editor: Very true. Lastly, what do you think the future holds for Gaetano Oristanio? Can we expect to see him making waves in larger leagues or even the national team?
Dr. Marcon: Given his current trajectory, the sky’s the limit for Oristanio. If he continues to develop and maintain his form, I see no reason why he wouldn’t attract attention from bigger clubs. With his skillset, he could become a valuable asset in more competitive leagues. Regarding the national team, if he keeps his performance levels high, especially on the international stage, representing Italy could certainly be in his future.
Editor: Exciting prospects indeed! Thank you, Dr. Marcon, for sharing your insights on Gaetano Oristanio. We’ll be watching closely as he takes on this challenge tonight.
Dr. Marcon: Thank you for having me. It’s an exciting time for Oristanio, and I’m looking forward to seeing how he progresses!
Editor: And to our audience, stay tuned for more updates on the match and the rise of young talents in football.
