About role models and beginnings: Fabian Tait about his career

Fabian Tait, who moved to FCS nine years ago, has now played 326 competitive games for South Tyrol's only professional football club. Only Hans-Rudi Brugger (368) and Hannes Fink (332) are ahead of him in this rating. The now 30-year-old is on the way to overtaking them and becoming a record player. Tait recently extended his contract with FC Südtirol until the summer of 2025.

In the past season, the Unterlander clearly demonstrated his suitability for Serie B. In total he made 37 appearances, with the central midfielder also scoring three goals. As part of a media day at the Hotel Lindenhof in Naturns chatted SportNews with Tait about...

...his development: “It was always my dream to get a foothold in professional football at some point. Even at the age of 16 as a major league player, I had the mentality of going to bed early the night before the game and eating well. I don't think everyone has that attitude at 16. I have always followed FC Südtirol. I then came to Mezzocorona from Salurn. Then I was lucky that Luca Piazzi brought me to FCS.”

A picture from 2013: Fabian Tait (number 8).

... his biggest sponsor: “The most important coach was Roberto Cortese. If I hadn't met him, I wouldn't have played for Salurn when I was 16. He gave me a lot of trust. I'm still in touch with him every now and then and have a good relationship with him. I recently saw his son at a camp. I really enjoyed that."

... his role model: “I am a big Inter fan. When I was little, I watched every game. I was totally in love with Javier Zanetti (former captain; Note d. Red. ). He was my absolute favorite player. He could play in any position and always gave his all. That always impressed me. I also think he's great as a person. I remember when Inter were training in Brunico, I was there with my family. We were cheering from the stands and Zanetti was the only Inter player who turned around and waved at us. That really impressed me.”

Javier Zanetti is Fabian Tait's great role model. © APA/epa / DANIEL DAL ZENNARO

...pressure as an identification figure and captain: “For me this is a total honor. I don't feel any pressure. I like the role and I think it's a beautiful thing. I try to pass on the South Tyrolean mentality. Everything here looks nice for the new players. The training facilities, the hotels, etc. I try to explain to them that there is a lot of work behind it.”

... the past season: “I never imagined that my first Serie B season would be so successful. Not that we would do that well as a team either. Many people thought after the first three games that we would definitely be relegated. I was still calm because many of us were new to the league. Then Pierpaolo Bisoli came as a coach and helped us a lot. In the end we had a tremendous season. Personally, I wouldn’t have thought I would be allowed to play through every match.”

...coach Pierpaolo Bisoli: "I remember after a few games, he brought me into his dressing room and said: 'You remind me of myself as a player.' Of course that made me particularly happy. He is the perfect coach for FC Südtirol – for our mentality. He talks a lot to me, Poluzzi and Masiello. Bisoli always has an open ear. I can always tell him what I think. He is very down to earth and we have a great relationship. He demands a lot, but is a top human being. Our coach is very sensitive – even if you would hardly believe it from the outside.”

Fabian Tait is Pierpaolo Bisoli's extended arm on the field. © DLife Luca Ognibeni

...what has changed: “Nine years ago, when I came, the Drusus Stadium was virtually empty. At that time it was hoped that at least 9 people would come. It is now almost always sold out (1.000; Note d. Red. ). People on the street recognize you and talk to me more often about FC Südtirol. But not just in this country, but also in Trentino, because I spend a lot of time there privately. That has changed completely.”

...the highlight of last season: “The semi-final second leg in Bari. When I think back, it was probably the best game of my life. Playing in front of 50.000 spectators is unique. I was nervous and totally motivated at the same time. We deserve to play a game like this. There was a traffic jam on the way to the stadium and we were protected by the police. Many opposing fans got out of their cars and started screaming. I still have all the images in my head.”

...new experiences: “But there were also a lot of nice games there. Like Venice away, where I scored the winning goal. I was left with a lasting impression by the stadium in Genoa, which is clearly the most beautiful one I've played in so far. The atmosphere was also great. I was also impressed by the Renzo Barbera Stadium in Palermo. When we won there, the opposing fans applauded us after the end of the game.”

The Marassi Stadium in Genoa impressed Fabian Tait (here is a scene from the game between Genoa and FCS).

... his position on the field: “I've played everywhere (laughs). At Salurn even as a striker. I started at FCS as a central midfielder. I was then retrained as a right-back and held that position for a few years. At Mister Zanetti I played on the outside in midfield. It was only with Stefano Vecchi that I moved further into the central midfield again.”

... a return to Salurn: “I often watch the Salurn games because my twin brother (Emanuel; editor's note) plays there. The president always tells me that I should play the last years of my career at Salurn. I would like that because a lot of my friends play there. Also some with whom I started playing football. But now I want to play for FCS for as long as possible.”

Serie B Italy	SP	TV	P
1. Sassuolo	15	31:12	34
2. Step on	15	27:14	31
3. Specia	15	22:10	30
4. Cremonese	15	23:17	24
5. Cesena	15	25:22	22
6. Juventus Stabia	16	17:19	22
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About role models and beginnings: Fabian Tait about his career

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