Visti da vicino | Luca Monticelli

Verona - Fourteenth appointment with 'Visti da vicino', the Hellas Verona format that will accompany us throughout the 2024/25 season, in which the protagonists are the young yellow-blue of the Primavera team coached by coach Paolo Sammarco.

Curiosities, anecdotes, personal life and of course lots of football are the main themes of these interviews. In this week's episode we'll discover the private and sporting life of the team's creative midfielder: Luca Monticelli.

Luca, how did you start playing football and at what age? “My passion for football was born thanks to my dad, who always played. He was a good player in his day, and even became a semi-professional in Belgium. That's why, ever since I was little, I've always had a ball at my feet, and at the age of 6 I started playing for Standard Liège, the team in my city. However, before starting with soccer, I also tried dancing, which is one of my mom's passions, but I immediately felt more at home with soccer. I must say that in my first game I played as a goalkeeper, but I didn't like it at all, also because it was snowing that day and I was freezing standing still in goal. After the game I told my dad that I would never play as a goalkeeper again”.

From Standard Liège you moved to Anderlecht, what was it like to grow up in the youth teams of such an important European club? “After seven years at Standard, I moved to Anderlecht, the Brussels team. This was a very important moment in my development because I also went to live away from home, in the boarding houses that the club made available to us. There I grew as a player and as a person and I am honored to have worn such a historic and prestigious shirt. With Anderlecht I first played in the youth teams, then I was added to the B team, which plays in the Challenger Pro League, the Belgian second division, where I made my debut in the 2022/23 season. The following season I found more continuity and also scored my first goals, and so I had the opportunity to make my debut with the First Team. It was incredible for me, also because my grandfather is a big Anderlecht fan and that debut was for him”.

You've already mentioned your grandfather and your father, would you like to tell us something about them? “As you can see from my surname, I have Italian origins. My grandfather, Beppino, is from a village near Pescara, while my grandmother, Pierina, is from Lecce. My father, Domenico, was born in Belgium and there he met my mother, Martina, who is Belgian. I also have an older sister called Romane and a younger one, Lena. For me, my whole family is fundamental and when I go out on the field I know that I have to do well for them too. Being a soccer player was my grandfather's and my father's dream, they passed it on to me. I want to succeed for myself, but above all for them, to make our dream come true. If I can play soccer today and be happy, it's all thanks to them”.

This summer you're moving to Hellas, what can you tell us about your transfer? ”When I heard about Verona's interest, I was delighted, because playing in Italy has always been a dream of mine, also because I feel Italian. When I first arrived here, the first two weeks weren't easy, but then I settled in straight away and now I get on really well with everyone, teammates and staff. Verona is a beautiful city and I feel very at ease here”.

What's the difference between the Belgian second division and Primavera 1? “I think that for a young player growing up in the Belgian second division is a great opportunity, because every week you face older and physically stronger professionals and this really helps you grow. Here, on the other hand, you are more prepared on tactics and how to best prepare for matches. I believe that in soccer both technique and tactics are important and it's good to improve in both aspects”.

The Primavera 1 league is entering the final phase, how did you find your first season in Italy? ”Before coming here I thought this league would be easier, since I came from a professional soccer context, but I was wrong. The Primavera 1 league is very difficult because you play against really strong opponents. When you face the big clubs, all the players are very good with the ball, very technical and they know how to play together perfectly. But even against the other teams it's not easy at all, there are many difficulties because the level of the players is very high”.

You scored your first goal in the Italian Cup against Cesena, and your first in the league in the victory against Juventus in Turin. How did you feel? “I'd been waiting a long time for these goals because at first they weren't coming. When you score it's always a unique feeling and after scoring you feel in a special way, everything seems easier”.

We've seen you play in several positions: second striker, center forward, winger. But what's your favorite? “I like to be free on the field, to be able to move and vary my position. That's why I'd say that the position I'm best in is second striker, where I can move all over the attack. But I'm glad that the coach sees me as a complete player, who can cover several roles, and I'm always ready to give my best in whatever position the coach decides for me.”

Mr. Sammarco, what does he ask you to do on the field? “The coach always tells me that I have to try to make an impact as much as possible, so try to score or make assists to help the team win. He asks me to put my individuality at the service of my teammates but still make myself noticed and try to leave my mark”.

What's it like training with the First Team and playing against them in training matches? “Everything is faster, more technical and also more physical, because you play with older guys who are already established professionals”.

Is there any First Team player you look up to as a source of inspiration? “I'd say Suslov. Not because I see myself in him on the field, but because of what he does in every game. He's very fast and technical, but above all he brings emotion to the field and gives his all for the team”.

What are your goals for the end of the season? ‘For me it's important to win as many games as possible and, in the end, see where we've ended up. Playing in the playoffs would be fantastic, of course. On a personal level, I want to keep scoring and making as many assists as possible’.

What can you tell us about your experience with the Belgian national youth team? “I started playing for Belgium in the under-15s and went on to play for the under-19s and now we'll see what happens. However, I won't deny that my real goal would be to play for the Italian national team because, even though I was born in Belgium, ever since I was little I've always said to my dad: 'when I grow up I want to play for Italy'.

You're learning Italian well, how's it going? “At home we always spoke Belgian, even though my grandparents and my dad speak perfect Italian. Now, to learn the language better since I'm in Italy, I always try to speak Italian, even with my dad, who helps me a lot to improve. I also need Italian to communicate better with my teammates, even though I already speak French, Belgian and English”.

How are you getting on in the team's boarding house? “Very well. I get on well with all the guys, we have everything we need and we're happy. Living together also helps us create a better environment, we often play PlayStation or watch matches. Living in the same place really helps to create a good group”.

Among your teammates, is there anyone you've become particularly close to? “I've definitely gotten along well with Jablonski from the start. He's Belgian like me, so he helped me a lot at the beginning. I also get along well with Agbonifo and Philippe, but in general with all the others too”.

When you're not playing soccer, what do you like to do? “I like to go out, hang out with friends, go downtown and go to the movies. There's nothing in particular that I do, I just like to go out and have a good time”.

Have you finished studying? ”Yes, I finished my studies in Belgium. The school system is a bit different there and I already graduated two years ago. Last year I started university in Brussels, studying Languages and Economics, but when I moved here to Italy I decided to take a break from studying and just focus on football”.

Is there anyone you'd like to thank for your time here at Verona? “There are so many people. First of all I want to thank Lorenzo Salvadori, the team manager, who works hard and well for us. Then there's coach Sammarco and director Margiotta, who have obviously helped me a lot. Our tutors who look after us in the boarding school are also very important, like Santo, Matteo and Leonardo, who make sure we never lack anything. Of course, also all the staff and Giorgio Rossi, the team's warehouse manager, who is a friend of mine, a bit like a second grandfather. In addition to the Hellas world, I also want to thank my friends from Belgium who are always very close to me, they come to visit me and give me a lot of help”.

Talking about your teammates, who do you think is the most technical player in the team? “I‘d say we're all on the same level, me, Pavanati and Jablonski”.

Who is the defender that gives you the most trouble in training? “It’s hard to say, they're all very strong, physical, fast and intelligent. If I have to name names, I'd say Kurti and Nwachukwu”.

What kind of music do you listen to? “I'm trying to listen to a bit of reggaeton and Spanish music, but I'm more into French music, even though I like a bit of everything. Every now and then, in the locker room, we French guys put on some music too”.

Finally, do you prefer scoring goals or providing assists? “For me, it's definitely assists. Providing a good assist is more difficult than scoring a good goal because the final pass, with the right angle, precision and power, is always a very difficult technical move and succeeding in it is very satisfying”.