When our writer Rocco Fasano landed in Turin on September 21, he didn’t know he was going to fulfill one of his dreams: covering a Serie A match on behalf of Italian Football Daily. Here is his story, as it originally appeared on his blog
In the midst of a European trip, I returned to Turin for the third time in a year and a half.
The purpose? To fulfill the dream of covering a Serie A match.
As I checked into Hotel Orchidea I was yet to receive confirmation from Juventus Press Office on my request for media accreditation on behalf of Italian Football Daily in occasion of Juventus-Frosinone. After a few failed attempts at calling the press office the hotel notified me that phone calls, even local calls, could not be made from the hotel’s room (!?!). The receptionist suggested that I purchase a calling card and use a public phone instead (?!?).
With no other options at my disposal, I took the bull by the horns and simply walked 20 minutes to Juventus headquarters in Corso Galileo Ferraris. Once I arrived there, I walked through the glass doors and spoke to the receptionist, and asked for the Press Office.
The receptionist told me to wait, and dialled up the Press Office and explained why I was there and who I was.
“Si… Si. Va bene”, and hung up. She looked up at me and said in Italian “yes, your accreditation request has been accepted. You can pick it up tomorrow at 15:00 here or at the stadium directly”. With my best poker face to hide my excitement I said “Perfect, thank you. I’ll be here tomorrow shortly after 15:00 to pick it up”.
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| Juventus headquarters |
Truthfully, I was overcome with two contradicting feelings: the first, a sense of excitement that one of my dreams was about to be realized; the other that I shouldn’t get excited until I had the accreditation in my hands.
In the meantime, I spoke with a journalist whom had been accredited in the past to inform myself on what to expect, and to confirm general decorum.
After prepping some game notes, I returned to Juventus headquarters the next day, on game day. The receptionist recognized me from the day prior and summoned a lady from the Press Office who came downstairs to deliver an envelope containing a game ticket for media.
I arrived at Juventus Stadium two hours prior to kickoff, eager to work. After the security check, I walked up the ramp into the media access where I was met by two ladies dressed in black suits who gave me a media bracelet and gave me some general information about the facilities. Among these, was a media restoration area where journalists congregate and network over sandwiches, pasta, wine and coffee, courtesy of Juventus FC (whom I – and Italian Football Daily – am grateful to).
Among a who’s who of media (among whom I recognized Gianni Balzarini, Claudio Zuliani and Francesco Cosatti) I approached Romeo Agresti from Goal.com who remembered me, and chatted with for a while. He also introduced me to Tuttosport and Goal.com’s Nicola Balice, whom I had the pleasure of speaking with.
With about a half hour to kick off I headed toward the seats, was escorted to mine which was equipped with a monitor, access to WiFi and plugs to charge my phone.
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| In the press box |
Despite dominating play for the most part Juventus was unable to take home all three points thanks to a 92nd minute goal by Frosinone’s Blanchard, whom, it turns out, was present at Juventus-Barcelona, the Champions League final that took place this past June, among Juventus supporters.
For the post match, I had access to the media scrums and press area where I published my live blog and match report, while waiting for the media scrums and for the coaches’ press conferences.
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| Allegri speaks in the post-match press conference |
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| Barzagli in the post-match media scrum |
After sending some live tweets from Mr. Allegri’s post-game presser I headed back to my hotel knowing that not only had I fulfilled my job as a representative of Italian Football Daily, but also my dream of covering a Juventus match as media.
I personally would like to recognize Alex Mascitti for giving me the opportunity to join Italian Football Daily almost two years ago now. A special thanks to Adam Digby for his pointers and for taking interest in my adventure in Turin.
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