Gennaro Borrelli is counting down the days until he can make his competitive debut for Cagliari. One month, practically to the day: Saturday, August 16th, at 8:45 PM at the Unipol Domus, the Coppa Italia round of 32 match against the winner of Virtus Entella-Ternana . "I can't wait to wear the rossoblù jersey in an official match, prove my worth, and make myself available," said the 2000-born striker, signed as a free agent after Brescia's failure, in comments released during his training camp in Ponte di Legno.
Coppa Italia, Cagliari in campo il 16 agosto
"It's a big opportunity for me," Borrelli said of his arrival at Cagliari. "But I think I'm coming at the right time, because I've already worked my way up . I played in Serie C and made 100 appearances in Serie B. I have more experience than when I won the championship at Frosinone two seasons ago and made my Serie A debut before returning to Brescia."
Borrelli's apprenticeship began at a very young age, when he realized he could become a "real" footballer: "I think I realized it in the Primavera 2 Championship, when I became top scorer with 18 goals in 20 games and went through the training camp with the first team. It was confirmation that I could compete at a certain level, then over the next year I realized I could have a professional career . I grew up on bread and football, because at home in Naples we talk about nothing else. My father put a ball in my hands right away, I started football school right away and at 14 I went to Pescara where I went through the whole process there."
To sign him, Cagliari had to beat off stiff competition and capitalize on the fact that sporting director Angelozzi already knew him from his time at Frosinone. "Cagliari is a club with a history that speaks for itself," Borrelli explained. " A club with a resounding following from all over the world, it requires a sense of belonging and responsibility . Representing a club like this is an honor, and you have to give everything you have to live up to it. I already knew sporting director Angelozzi, and I found a coach who instilled great confidence in me from day one with words."
Borrelli arrived in Cagliari last Thursday , coinciding with the training camp at the Crai Sport Center. " The welcome at the airport was incredible, it really impressed me . I found a great group, the guys welcomed me very well. I already knew Zappa from my experience at Pescara, and Veroli and I even went to boarding school together when we were in the white and blues. Joining a group like that is definitely easier."