Roberto Piccoli calls the crowd to gather ahead of tonight's Cagliari-Genoa, where his presence as a starter at the center of the attack is a given . "The fans are a very important part of us, because even in home games they give us an extra push," the center forward said to Tln Tv, the broadcaster that shows Serie A in Canada. "There were times when we were maybe a goal down, but when the crowd started to come on it seemed like we were going at double what we were five minutes earlier. This is an important thing that will give us a hand for the end of the season."

For Piccoli, this is his first season in the red and blues: so far, in the 27 league games already played, he has scored 7 goals, including the last one, in the away match in Bologna, which was worth the illusory advantage. «I think about working day by day. The most important thing is the team, I have to help with goals but we all have to work together - me too - and play a useful game that brings results to Cagliari ». It is his best year in terms of numbers, and for this he thanks coach Davide Nicola: «He is making me grow in many ways, certainly in making the department alone and in playing well with the team. I am also improving a lot in terms of scoring, I try to do it every game».

Piccoli has known Serie A since April 15, 2019, the day of his debut against Empoli when he was at Atalanta. Then many loans: Spezia, Genoa, Verona, Empoli and Lecce, with Cagliari having a right of redemption set at 12 million. « When you are young and you start in Serie A you have to gain experience and learn to grow, even with the many difficulties that can arise », his assessment of his personal path in the interview with the journalist Steven Moore. «I also had some rather heavy injuries, I lost a year and a half due to these physical problems. But it helps you mentally and makes you understand your body: now I'm on the right path, I'm working well and I want to give my best for the end of the season».

In a week, Luciano Spalletti's call-ups for Italy's matches during the break at the end of March will be released. Piccoli is awaiting his debut with the Azzurri jersey: " Now I'm thinking about working well here in Cagliari, because only with the club can you aspire to the national team. Here we have a wonderful group of young guys, who want to improve day after day ." In the meantime, he is trying to increase his goal tally, without having any special celebrations: "I'm living it in the moment, maybe I'll talk about it during the week with friends and something will come out that I can then repeat on the pitch."

Looking at his teammates and opponents, Piccoli has a preference: « In my opinion, the strongest striker in Serie A now is Moise Kean », his choice. «For all types of characteristics: physical, technical, speed and power. He is a high-level player, who in my opinion will go on to play on important stages next year». And as for career goals, he leaves the discussion open: «In third place as the best is the one with Fiorentina last year in Lecce, a beautiful header. In second place is the one this year at Monza, but the first is the next one to arrive».

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