Become a Creator today!Start creating today - Share your story with the world!
Start for free
00:00:00
00:00:01
Full Free Monthly Episode - The Interview: Adrian Del Monte (Ep. 137)
216 Plays4 years ago
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction to Italian Football Podcast
00:00:01
Speaker
Welcome to the Italian football podcast with John Solano, Carlo Garganese and Nima Tuvali.
00:00:23
Speaker
Hello everybody and welcome to the Italian football podcast. I'm Carlo Garganese. So we are fast approaching Italy's Euro 2020 quarterfinal against Belgium. Massive match for the for the Azuri in Munich.
00:00:38
Speaker
And to help us preview the game we are delighted to welcome onto the show my good friend Adriana Del Monte.
Adriana Del Monte on Covering Euro 2020
00:00:46
Speaker
Adrian is a presenter and journalist for a string of top media companies, ESPN, Super Sport TV, Be In Sports, Optus, Sony Sport India and many others.
00:00:59
Speaker
He has been covering Euro 2020 all around Europe and he's he's been at every Italy game So so he's really the perfect guy to talk about as Italy go into the into this quarterfinal So so Adrian, thank you so much for joining us. I imagine you're you're you've just got off another airplane So, how are you? How are you doing, man?
00:01:22
Speaker
Hello great to join you thanks for having me I'm doing well I am very tired you call me the perfect time because I do have a couple of days break a back in my home city of Milan.
00:01:33
Speaker
Really looking forward to the quarterfinals. I have five matches to go to cover two quarters, two semis, and the final bit. Look, it's been an incredible tournament. Obviously, I've been very fortunate to cover all of the Italy matches, but I've witnessed some all-time matches. I was at the France-Switzerland game most recently in Bucharest, which I still can't believe what took place there. And I've been very lucky to see most of the top teams play. So quarterfinals upon us, still really anything can happen and very much looking forward to it.
00:02:02
Speaker
Yeah, we'll definitely come to that France game because that definitely was an all-time classic.
Logistical Challenges and COVID Impact
00:02:08
Speaker
But to start off with, you've been to a lot of games, as you said, at the Euros, travelling from city to city. Just to start with, can you just give us an insight of a day in the life of a Euro 2020 broadcaster and how it all works from, say, the moment you wake up to the end of your day, the end of your TV broadcast?
00:02:29
Speaker
Absolutely, Cam. Look, it's a very strange time, obviously with the COVID situation.
00:02:35
Speaker
I think in general, it was always going to be a different tournament given the fact that it was this tournament played across multiple countries in Europe. But the COVID element has just added that extra layer of work. I mean, every country, every city, every stadium has different rules and regulations, which are constantly changing. So that is a job on top of the job. I mean, the stuff that I do on camera live to air from inside the stadium is the very last thing that I think about because
00:03:04
Speaker
There is so much that goes into actually physically getting there. So from the moment I wake up, it is a lot of that organizing the logistics, planning what's required for me to do that day, ensuring that all my documentation is in place for UEFA, for any travel that's required. And then it's the job. At the moment, I'm working for, you mentioned some of the networks that I work for, but pretty much on a daily basis, I'm actively working for three networks here at the European Championship. So it's a full day that consists of
00:03:34
Speaker
varying tasks, depending on what I'm rested on for. But I cross into a few live shows every morning across Australia, India, and Africa. And then it's a matter of making my way to the game and just fulfilling the various tasks that I have in place with all of them as well. So look, there's certainly a lot that goes into it, but it has made it all the more rewarding, eventually getting there and being able to witness all of these great matches live. So so far, I think I've covered nine
00:04:03
Speaker
at the moment across six countries.
Cristiano Ronaldo's Off-Field Impact
00:04:05
Speaker
So it's been a lot of travel, a lot of moving, but it has been a lot of fun. Yeah, I'm sure it has been a lot of fun. And being part of the media and getting the access that you've had. I mean, you will have seen a lot of stuff that those of us watching on TV won't have, behind the scenes kind of stuff. I mean, are there any interesting stories that you can tell from your Euro's journey that really stand out, either those that involve Italy or from any of the games, really?
00:04:32
Speaker
It is interesting look it doesn't differ too much to to
Italy's Performance and Leadership
00:04:35
Speaker
I suppose club football I cover a lot of Champions League and what you get to see behind the scenes on that front I think what instead of specific stories this time around I think the the element that has been equally as intriguing has been the travel and movement that I just discussed from a broadcast perspective similarly for the players in terms of protocols that they face in terms of
00:04:58
Speaker
to train, to play, to get into countries. It just adds another element for them to have to deal with and the nations as well in their movements. I've spoken to a lot of individuals involved with the national team of Italy and they've told me frequently how much time they've actually lost with regards to going through all those measures, which obviously applies to everyone. So it's just another challenge for, you know, we have seen some incredible results so far.
00:05:25
Speaker
at the European Championships, but it's just another element for them to have to contend with him what is a very difficult period. The other intriguing element for me, I did cover two Portugal matches, the Portugal-Germany clash and Portugal-France in the group stage.
Italy vs Austria: Overcoming Adversity
00:05:41
Speaker
Nothing new because I've seen it with Juventus and previously with Real Madrid in the Champions League, but the hate that Cristiano Ronaldo receives off the pitch from those who aren't fans of him,
00:05:52
Speaker
is something that must be seen. It is incredible. And every time I have seen him outside of the pitch, you can just tell that he channels that dislike and he just lets it out on the field. And I mean, it's everywhere you go. He's that sort of figure that people either love or loathe. And those that don't like him so much, he just embraces it, brings it to the pitch and consistently delivers.
Italy's Chances Against Belgium
00:06:15
Speaker
An intriguing element that I've seen off the pitch for Portugal here at the Euros. Yeah, I'm sure quite a few messy chants as well. Non-stop. Yeah, we always get those. And you've been to every Italy game, as you said. I mean, watching Italy live, because obviously it's different watching Italy live than when you watch on TV. I mean, I was at the Austria game on Saturday when we met each other there. I mean, just how impressive have they been at Euro 2020 and what and who have impressed you the most?
00:06:44
Speaker
It has been very special to see this Italian team at this point in time. Obviously, look, one element for me that stuck out even before the tournament was the fact that this Italian team were entering the European Championships off the back of the year that was with COVID, obviously globally, but the impact of devastation it caused here, I really feel has been something that the group has unified the group in a way that they are really channeling that energy
00:07:11
Speaker
And the support and love and devotion from Italians in general has really now been translated onto the pitch. And that's what I've been inspired by watching them play live. Look, on paper quite clearly, they don't have the same star power that, well, most of the big nations that have been eliminated had. But they have this energy, they have this cohesiveness that they play with together that you can just see comes together. They love one another.
00:07:39
Speaker
They play for one another. They're very proud to be there. And that, for me, has all come from Roberto Mancini, who has instilled this new mentality, this new belief into the Azuri, which, well, for the entirety of my life, I have not ever
Team Performances and Standout Players
00:07:53
Speaker
seen before in an Italian theme. We have seen
00:07:56
Speaker
Italy teams so often in international tournaments just do enough to get out of a group or just do enough to win in 90 minutes, which I know sounds very strange to those who may not have covered or watched as much Italy as I have over time, but it has just been culturally what they do. They'll do enough when required and then they'll take care of the rest at the latter stages of the tournament. But that hunger and that desire
00:08:20
Speaker
I think you can see it and I'm sure you would have noticed a lot more color watching it live as opposed to on television. The work right off the ball, the passion from those who aren't even playing, those that are on the bench not even playing, those in the stands. It's truly been inspiring and I think with that will come an Italian team that will maximize their potential at the European Championships and as a nation that's all that we can ask.
00:08:44
Speaker
Yeah, yeah, absolutely. I mean, there is definitely a togetherness there. And that is important in this tournament. I mean, we've seen France, I mean, some of the stuff that's going on with the France team. I mean, we'll get to France in a bit. Stuff with with Rabio's mum and and and and and.
00:09:01
Speaker
and all this kind of stuff and lots of infighting and there's clearly issues in there within the squad. Maybe the same with Germany as well with Thomas Muller and the coach. So I think definitely having that cohesiveness on and off the pitch is definitely going to take Italy a long way. But having said that, we were together at that game on Saturday at Wembley.
00:09:23
Speaker
I mean, it was a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. I mean, I was a bit worried for a while. I think we both were. We spoke at the end, didn't we, at
Atalanta's Scudetto Potential
00:09:29
Speaker
90 minutes and we were like, oh gosh, what's going to happen here? I mean, are you a little bit more pessimistic about Italy's chances having watched them struggle in the second half? Or do you think that it could have the opposite effect of, you know, being that important game to come through adversity to push them on now? Yeah, it's such an interesting question, this one.
00:09:47
Speaker
because obviously the 90-minute performance was not sold. There's no shying away from the fact that it wasn't a good performance, but I am on the opposite side. I think for this squad which, well in terms of international tournament experience, are still very inexperienced. They haven't been there before, obviously missing the 2018 World Cup. So a lot of these players, this is their first international tournament. I do feel that despite the fact that it was Austria, it wasn't a
00:10:16
Speaker
a superpower opponent, but I do feel that the experience will hold them in better stead heading into the quarterfinals. I mentioned in the pregame on the broadcaster I was working with there in the stands that
00:10:29
Speaker
One concern I have for Italy is despite all of the records and the fact that they hadn't conceded a goal for a record amount of time, the fact that Italy were not previously in a troubled
France vs Switzerland Upset
00:10:41
Speaker
position, they didn't need to fight their way out of a difficult position, I was just a little concerned, well, how would they react to that? Because Italy still have not trailed
00:10:50
Speaker
in a match for now well over 24 hours so Italy have not been in a position where they've needed to fight to come from behind to get the result and still that is a small concern I think heading into the Belgium quarterfinal this Friday night but overall I think the fact that they well they went behind then the goal was ruled out they held on for a 0-0 draw and then the fact that they were able to
00:11:12
Speaker
to get themselves together and score two goals in extra time, I think they can only grow and be better for that experience, despite the, well, somewhat weak performance over the course of the 90 minutes.
00:11:24
Speaker
Hi, Adrian. It's Nima and thank you again for joining us. I wanted to talk a little bit about Italy, Belgium. You've already touched on that and you'll be at the game. What are your sensations ahead of this game? Do you think that Italy can beat the number one ranked team in the world, FIFA rankings? I personally not too fussed about FIFA rankings, but I know a lot of people are. But what are your thoughts?
00:11:49
Speaker
Well, let's start with that first thing, man. Thanks for having me again. But the world rankings for me, surely needs an overhaul of this system because it's ridiculous. The FIFA rankings, if you cast your mind back to the 2018 World Cup, yes, Italy missed the World Cup, not making excuses, but at the time of the draw, Italy were a pop two team and that's why they were drawn into the group with Spain. I think at that time we were maybe 17, 18 in the world.
00:12:17
Speaker
Pot one at that qualification had the likes of Romania and Wales in there. Now, if that's saying something, then I think it needs some work done. But in any case, that's my world rankings. And I think even the French were outside the top 20 at that time, despite having made the Euro final, obviously, previously.
England's Path to the Final
00:12:37
Speaker
But in any case, Friday evening, Italy, Belgium. Look, I think Belgium are a very solid
00:12:45
Speaker
solid team. There's no disputing that. They're a very, very good, strong country who have performed very well, as expected, thus far as a tournament. I haven't seen them live just yet, so this will be the first time I see them live. Obviously, some concerns over two stars in Hazardan de Bruyne, but this is not a team that historically have troubled Italy, nor is this a team that
00:13:06
Speaker
Well, from an Italian perspective, I have serious concerns about. I do think that Belgium will come in as favorites. Again, this is, well, I suppose this is potentially the end of this golden generation of Belgium. Can they finally win something? Well, time will tell. But I look, if I were to be brutally honest, I would have more concerns going into a potential semifinal against Spain, who are not the best Spain we've ever seen. But that's sort of how I'm feeling at this point, heading into the Belgian clash.
00:13:36
Speaker
Yeah, Carlo agrees with you on that. I'm actually the opposite. For me, the way I see it, the only team standing away from Italy going to the final is Belgium because they have a physicality. And also, like you said, their golden age, the golden generation, they're at the perfect age. This is the last chance. And so they've got the experience of previous competitions which Italy don't have. And also Lukaku.
00:14:04
Speaker
Yeah, Lukaku of course, but the elements about Belgium that I think doesn't faze me as much as some of the others is the fact that Lukaku, even you want to throw medicines in there as well. These are players that play in city art. So if anyone is going
Italy's Resilience and Final Predictions
00:14:18
Speaker
to understand the way that they play,
00:14:20
Speaker
then I am confident in the defense of Italy to manage them as best as possible but Lukaku is a serious problem. I think everyone knows that. It's unstoppable when he goes off on these runs. So you've been to a lot of games at the Euros for all teams. Which teams and players have impressed you the most live and would you say that Italy have been the most impressive of all so far?
00:14:42
Speaker
Yeah, I think as a team, as a unit, Italy, for me, have been the most impressive. And Kahlo already touched on it, but some of the infighting in the other nations that are now no longer, that is a key element. You need a tight group to go deep. You don't necessarily need 11 French stars on one pitch. That's not always going to be enough. In terms of specific plays, though, I think many started to
00:15:09
Speaker
to come out and say that he was the best player of the tournament, perhaps won't win the award now, but I did cover two French matches and Pogba, this tournament was something else. He was, he, you watch Pogba live, you watch him play and you cannot physically comprehend the criticism that comes for this player when playing in the Premier League for Manchester United, because he, despite all of those stars around him, I suppose,
00:15:35
Speaker
the Ballon d'Or favourite in Kante beside him, all of the attacking quality, Mbappe and Ko Pogba just shone above them all, and he was a phenomenal player. Was it the opening game, the assistant for the own goal?
00:15:50
Speaker
Just everything, the goal he scored against Switzerland, I was right behind that, saw that live. That pass he did afterwards, where he volunteered for the left-hand side, and that was incredible as well. Unbelievable. So purely from an individual play perspective, Pogba for me was the number one. I think
00:16:09
Speaker
watching Gorsens live, having covered him a lot in Serie A with Atalanta. Again, a player who, clearly Pogba, a bigger name globally, but Gorsens in such a talented German side, for him to shine and be one of those five Atalanta players who have scored and just really excel on the European stage. It was also very special to see, to see a player who plays in this, who plays in the small town of Begum, or to do that on the bigger stage,
00:16:38
Speaker
was truly inspiring as well. So I've really enjoyed those two plays and their performances, but they're no longer. So opportunities now for new plays to come through.
00:16:47
Speaker
I mean, just picking up on that Atalanta point, no matter which country wins the Euros, Atalanta have won the Euros. That's a lot of players, I mean, from Malinowski to Gossens to, I mean, every single one, every single one of their players is just, they're really showing themselves. Mailer, Mailer's really, he didn't really come out, because he impressed me at Atalanta when he came, but you know, no one really pushed on the light on him too much.
00:17:12
Speaker
And now they're going to buy Juan Musso as well. And I'm looking at their team and I'm thinking, you know what, in a Covid summer where the other Serie A teams are not going to be spending, Inter are going to be losing players, Juventus, well, we see how much they can do. I mean, Atalanta could be definitely more than an outside bet for the Scudetto. I am seriously sensing an Atalanta Scudetto this season. We talk about it at an international level, but Atalanta for me are the best team. There is not a better team
00:17:41
Speaker
At the moment, no, they don't have the star power that you wear and enter and maybe Milan, but after long to the team, they are more than capable this season off the back of what they've already done the last three seasons. Agreed, 100%. And for me with Musso, I mean, Musso and another central defender, they will have addressed those weaknesses that they have. And that, you know, if Gasparini can get it together and avoid these low, these poor starts to the season, then I think they'll be flying.
00:18:10
Speaker
Really think so. Absolutely. So yeah, you've been, let's start, you mentioned Pogba and that incredible game France, Switzerland on Monday, which was just, it was, you know, you knew when you were watching that, that's an all time classic going on. What do you think, I mean, what was it like watching that game? And do you think France exit blows the tournament wide open?
00:18:34
Speaker
The game was incredible. It was played in Bucharest. It was my first ever visit to Bucharest, which is an incredible city in its own right. So I was lucky to spend a couple of days there. And you could sense that there were so many fans, the French Swiss fans, you could really sense that it was a massive occasion for everyone in attendance. And the 90 minutes itself, well, who could ever have picked it? I mean, after
00:18:57
Speaker
the Swiss miss the, Rodriguez missed the penalty and then Benzema goes down the other end and makes it 2-1 very quickly after it was the fact that it would finish straight three, went to penalties. You just knew that you were witnessing history and it had that feel about it in the lead up during the match. After the match, it was a strange 10 PM kickoff. I didn't get home till about 3 AM that night had a 6 AM flight. So for me, that's going to be something that I'm never ever going to forget.
Reflecting on Euro 2020 Journey
00:19:24
Speaker
As for the tournament itself, clearly you've got the world champions that crash out surprisingly in a quarter of the draw where they would have fancied themselves to make the semis at least and see from there. It's a massive shock, an absolutely huge shock that now blows it wide open because Spain, obviously the big winners, because Spain were the team that
00:19:47
Speaker
they very easily could have won their group. Very late there was drama in their group which changed their fate and for Spain now it's given them this massive opportunity with all respect of course to Switzerland to just deep eliminate France but Spain have a golden opportunity to to now make a final four run and well given their improved performances anything is possible so it's just it's exciting I think as well if you look at the other half of the draw obviously England are heavily favored to make the final there with the semis and final on home soil but
00:20:16
Speaker
there could very well be a surprise final store too, just like in 2018 Croatia. It's good for football and this is why I love international football. You don't have the problems a club football has these days with spending and money and transfers. This is pure, it's genuine and it's great to see some new names in the final eight. Yeah, this is why I prefer international football a lot more than club football because you can't
00:20:42
Speaker
You can't cheat if you like. You can't buy success. You can't just stockpile loads of talent and bully the smaller teams. It's real football. You've got who you've got and that's it. Exactly.
00:20:58
Speaker
Yeah, I mean, you'll be in Rome on Saturday to cover England against Ukraine or what's left of Ukraine after the Texas Chainsaw Massacre we saw on display with a ball yesterday in Glasgow. I mean, you already alluded to it already. The draw does not look too bad. It's Ukraine, Czech Republic and Denmark standing in the way of England, who will play if they go through to the semifinal and final at Wembley.
00:21:25
Speaker
Is there anything standing in the way of England, not only to go into the final, but winning this? Well, the quarterfinal will be interesting because of course it will be the first time they play outside of England at this tournament. And it was the same concern for Italy against Austria in the round of 16, Austria on paper. If that match was played in Rome, you'd pencil Italy in for a quite comfortable victory. And I, I'm having the same feeling about this one, England, Ukraine,
00:21:53
Speaker
in Rome. I've seen the reports this morning that the UK government have already said don't travel to France. The atmosphere could be very different in Italy for this English team. On the pitch, should they win in 90 minutes against a Ukraine side that came through a very difficult round of 16 match? Yes, I fancy that England should and will win this match.
00:22:17
Speaker
I think they've proven that they're a very, very tough team. And when they get going, they can be very hard to stop. I did cover them in Amsterdam against Netherlands. It was an incredible match, that one. The Netherlands went up by two goals to nil. Ukraine fought their way back into it. The Dutch eventually won it very late. But they can certainly mix and match it with the best. But I guess the question is, who will they have available and how quickly will they recover? Because it was a growing
00:22:42
Speaker
two hour fixture against Sweden last night. So a few question marks there, but I think the element that could hinder England is perhaps the fact of playing outside of Wembley for this fixture. Looking to the semi-final, look being honest, Denmark where it seemed that I had picked to make a semi-final at the start of the tournament, I think the Ericsson factor now
00:23:03
Speaker
Well, maybe inspiring them to do even more than anyone could ever have imagined. So I think Denmark are the team that if they are to make the semi-made trouble, England, but it is at Wembley. And I mean, that is a massive advantage, particularly if they have as many fans in the stands as they are anticipating for the semis in the final then. Well, beyond that, ask the England fans who will cause them the most issues, potentially Belgium, Italy, Spain, Switzerland. Again, at home, they'll definitely fancy their chances going into any match.
00:23:32
Speaker
Yeah, I think if the England Denmark semi-final was played on
00:23:37
Speaker
on a neutral venue. I actually think Denmark would have a good chance. I mean, I'm like you. I predicted them as they were my dark horses. And I think they're a team. I think after Italy and maybe Spain, they play actually as a team, very cohesive unit. And they actually beat England at Wembley in the Nations League back in October. I did. I mean, yeah, it's only the Nations League. But I think, yeah, the Wembley factor is massive. And I think that
00:24:04
Speaker
I mean, I've been saying this to a lot of people. I think that's where this tournament's been a little bit unfair. We saw Chris Gunter, the Wales defender, complain about this. And I think he was absolutely right that the way that this tournament's been organized, it's really favored some teams like England.
00:24:21
Speaker
playing the whole tournament, basically at Wembley. And then you've got some teams like Wales, for example, who played two of their four fixtures in Baku with no fans. And then they would have been in Baku again for the quarterfinal if they'd have got through. And it's just like, it's kind of like, it's just not even Belgium. I think Belgium played every single game away and played in a group where two of the teams were playing most of their fixtures at home. And it's just kind of, it's just not, it's just been a weird way that it's been organised, I think. And that's definitely favoured England.
00:24:49
Speaker
Okay, so just to finish off, so what is your prediction then for who will win the tournament?
00:24:55
Speaker
We all know your heart. We all know your hearts with Italy because I saw some of the, uh, I saw the camera that the Optus had on you during the game. To be honest, I had no idea that so obviously I was very close to you in the stands. I was doing my crosses pre-match halftime and full time with Optus and I had no idea that they had the camera running live into Australia during the match while I was living and breathing every minute of the match. So that was special to see, but look, certainly.
00:25:24
Speaker
Look, I think just speaking about Italy for a second, I think when Italy have faced adversity in previous tournaments, they very often come out on top. And there is that same feeling that I feel off the back of missing the World Cup in 2018. Mancini coming in, breaking all sorts of records.
00:25:42
Speaker
setting new records that never even existed. And then obviously the year that was with COVID, particularly here in the north of Italy, there is just something special in the air about this Italian national team at this point in time. But quite clearly in the difficult half of the draw, Belgium cannot be disrespected. Spain are just, well, they're improving each and every game and Switzerland just knocked out the world champion. So look, who would I predict to come out of this half? I will say Italy. Again, I just think from what I've seen, they are the best team.
00:26:11
Speaker
But flip a coin. I think on the other half of the draw, if they are ever going to make a final, England has to make this one. You've just said it perfectly. They're never going
00:26:22
Speaker
It's working their favor completely. Even the round of 16 match that was initially not meant to be at Wembley was then moved to Wembley after Dublin lost their right. So everything has fallen into Spain as well. They would have met Spain in Rome in the final. I would have favored Spain in that, in that game, to be honest. And then who was it? There was a goal. Sweden scored in like the third minute of injury time. Correct. So it was, it was a 94th minute. Sweden scored the late winner in the group stage.
00:26:53
Speaker
against Poland, which ultimately puts Sweden top, Spain from second, which means Spain are now in this half of the draw. And if that was the case, I'd be picking Spain to obviously get out of that half of the draw and go all the way to the final. But in this case, I will predict that it will be quite incredibly an Italy-England final at Wembley, and I'm clearly only going to tip One Nation to win that, but I think it will be an incredible fixture if that does take place.
00:27:19
Speaker
Ah, yeah. Look, it's one game at a time, but we'll see what happens if we build this week first up. I've got to go to Munich Friday night, but that one Saturday I'll cover England and Ukraine. So I'll see both my potential finalists Friday and Saturday evening.
00:27:33
Speaker
Yeah, absolutely. Well, that should be yeah, should be very exciting. Well, thank you so much, Adrian, for joining us and for coming on the show. I mean, I have tickets for the semifinal if Italy get there. So yeah, I'm hoping that yeah, we'll definitely see each other again. And there'll be another positive outcome. You can follow you can follow Adrian on Twitter at at Adrian Del Monte all in one and and on Instagram.
00:27:59
Speaker
So, yeah, thanks again, Adrian. It was great to have you on, getting all your insight on the Euros. It was really, really fantastic. My absolute pleasure any time and enjoy the rest of the tournament. Thanks so much for coming on, Adrian. Pleasure. And thanks everyone for listening. We will see you again on Friday after the match for a post-match reaction. Until then, ciao ciao.