The former centre-forward for Italian sides Empoli and Chievo Verona, Manuel Pucciarelli, has joined Australia’s reigning team, Melbourne City.
Following in the footsteps of other Italian greats such as Alessandro Diamanti, the current captain of Western United, Pucciarelli will begin training for the first match of the season, in which Melbourne City will play at AAMI Park against Brisbane Roar.
Brisbane Roar is no stranger to outstanding Italian players; Massimo Maccarone played for the club in 2017.
Pucciarelli played with Maccarone at Empoli and spoke highly of his former teammate.
“We spent many years playing together and we’re good friends,” he said.
“He was the first person I heard from when the opportunity came up to play for Melbourne City.
“He explained the value of the championship and the importance of the club.
“He really sold Melbourne to me.
“I also heard from Diamanti, who I played against in the Serie A.
“He was really helpful in giving me an idea of the A-League and Melbourne.
“He helped me to understand the city and helped my wife and me to settle in.
“I can’t thank them enough for their support.”
Pucciarelli has been overwhelmed by the warm welcome from his teammates, his coach, Patrick Kisnorbo, and Melbourne City’s management.
“They’ve been great at making me feel involved,” he said.
“Before I’d even arrived, they sent me material to help me understand how they play and what my role would be in the team’s established dynamic.
“I’ve been researching a lot; I like to be prepared.”
Pucciarelli had his start on the Empoli youth team and was coached by Maurizio Sarri, whom he credits with his promotion to the Serie A.
“They were the best years of my career with Sarri and Giampaolo, another coach who has given me so much,” he said.
Pucciarelli made 136 appearances in Italy’s Serie A, scoring 16 goals and assisting seven.
He also played in 78 Serie B matches, scoring 10 goals and assisting another seven.
The star athlete is deeply passionate about soccer and is eager to start his journey with Melbourne City.
“I don’t have a favourite role,” he said.
“I really like to vary my game and to sacrifice myself on the pitch.
“I’ve played in so many positions in my career that I don’t feel like limiting myself to a specific one.
“I played mostly as an attacking midfielder, or a second striker.
“Sarri changed my role, more out of necessity than anything else, but I did well and he kept me in that position.
“I don’t feel like a striker, but more like a midfielder or a playmaker.
“I like to engage in a dialogue with my teammates, rather than always going in for the goal.”
Melbourne City has extensive experience with Italian imports; Iacopo La Rocca used to play for the side and now coaches the youth teams.
Melbourne City’s director of football, Michael Petrillo, confirmed that the club was looking forward to working with Pucciarelli.
“Adding a player of his calibre, on a multiyear deal, shows the club’s ambition to not only build on last season’s success, but also continue to add stability and bring in players that can play our attacking style of football,” he said.
