His time with the Rossoblu has made him one of Cagliari's key players. And a season spent on the back burner wasn't enough to weaken Gabriele Zappa's connection to a club he now feels is his own. The Monza defender reiterates: "I'm fired up compared to the past; I couldn't wait to get started again. Last year's choice of coach brought results, but I want to compete, even though I'll always put the team before myself."

Zappa made a declaration of love for Cagliari: "I'm in my seventh season. I hear a lot of transfer rumors, but I don't know anything. In January, it's true, there was the possibility of going to Napoli or Fiorentina, but I'm very happy I stayed because I love Cagliari and Sardinia."

The rossoblù defender doesn't forget the person who was always present during the previous six training camps: "Pavoletti has left us a lot. Last year, he trained Deiola and I to best represent these colors. I thank Leo, who in the final game of last season gave me a jersey with a special dedication: To the man you have become. It moved me and we miss him, because Pavo knew how to use both carrot and stick in the locker room; he was essential. But I also want to say goodbye to Dr. Scorcu: he always had a story or an anecdote to tell, I thank him for these years."

On his deployment: "If the coach asks me to, I'll put on gloves and play goalkeeper. We haven't spoken to him yet, but there's no problem. Last year we had Palestra, a really unrelated player, but he was incredibly strong, and we needed someone like Zé Pedro to cover his back. But this year I want to compete with Zé."

Given his seniority, Zappa continues Pavoletti's legacy even when introducing new players: "I make it clear they can feel at home here; they can ask me for advice on places and restaurants. And over the years, I've matured as a person; I've understood what it means to play for Cagliari, and that's why I have to be an example to everyone."

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