Is Virtus Bozen already ready for Series C? That's what the protagonists say

Only the most die-hard Virtus fans would have expected this high. But those responsible are also clear that it is a snapshot and that a lot can change in the new year.

SportNews spoke to some protagonists who explain why the soaring is not a coincidence, what they expect from this season and where the journey should take them personally but also for Virtus Bozen. The general director of Bolzano Gianluca Dalla Ville also has his say, who talks about the last days of the transfer market.

One of the main players is definitely goalkeeper Julian Pircher. The 19-year-old played 12 of 15 games. Julian, could you have expected this number of points after 15 match days?

Julian Pircher: “We started the championship to stay in class. But we were also convinced that we had a strong squad and if we were able to play our technically adept game, we could keep up with any opponent in this group. This is what we have done so far and thereby underlined our intention. We were always extremely strong, especially at home. At the moment we don't look at the table much because it doesn't make sense at the moment because our goal was and remains to stay in the league. If more emerges afterwards, we will certainly be happy to accept it.”

Last year it was the Oberliga, now Serie D. How big is the difference, especially from a goalkeeper's perspective.

Julian Pircher: “Basically not a big difference. The balls come at me almost identically, although in the Serie D teams there are always good, experienced strikers who make life difficult. But I have to say that the standard in our top league is very good, and in general I think our regional football is impressive. We didn’t just march through the top league last year, we had to give everything in every game to be able to be at the top in the end.”

A safe support: Julian Pircher. © www.runggaldier.it / Dieter Runggaldier

There was no lack of work last Sunday in Portogruaro?

Julian Pircher: "That's correct. We showed that we can also fight. That was also necessary on this deep ground. In the end I was very happy that I made a few saves to keep the team in the game and in the end we deserved to win due to our better fighting performance. It's also important that we goalkeepers show that we can be relied upon when it matters most. This applies not only to me, but also to my colleague Matteo Bucosse.”

For you personally, is Virtus Bozen just a stopover on the way up or was that it?

Julian Pircher: “No, the goal must always be upwards. I did my entire training at FC Südtirol and that's why they want to go back there, even though FCS is now playing in Serie B. It is already clear that FC Südtirol plays in different spheres. My current intention at Virtus is to give it my all and continue to develop. At the moment the only thing that counts is the present and that is Virtus Bozen.”

So the ideal case would be with Virtus Bozen in Serie C?

Julian Pircher: “As I already said: our goal is to stay in the league. If more comes out after that, we certainly won't say no. Ascension would be such a monumental achievement that it's almost unrealistic. We are definitely enjoying the moment, especially when we look at the table.”

One who only came to Bolzano in the summer is attacker David Okoli. The Italo-Nigerian has scored 4 times so far and is often substituted on by coach Alfredo Sebastiani as a breath of fresh air in the attack. David, you have been in Bolzano since this summer. How are you doing here in the northernmost province?

David Okoli: “I feel very comfortable here in Bolzano. The club is almost like a family and that is very nice and important for me. You are leading the table after 15 match days. A positive interim result? In any case. Our goal is to stay in the league. As soon as we have this in our pockets, we can think of higher things.

David Okoli (second from left). © R. Eheim

How would you rate your personal achievements?

David Okoli: “I think it's good, because whenever coach Sebastiani sent me onto the field, I tried to convince, and for the most part I succeeded. I notice that Sebastiani is relying on me and I try to thank him for this trust with good performances. Coach Sebastiani is really a good coach.”

Noa Hochkofler is someone who has been in the first team at Virtus for the third season. The 3-year-old, who lives in Haslach, was a rock in central defense during the league season. This year too he is gradually playing his way into the starting eleven. Noa, 1st place in the table after 15 games. Couldn't the championship have gone much better to date?

Noa Hochkofler: “To be honest, we didn’t expect this. I don't think anyone would have expected that. Our goal is and remains to stay in the league. In January we'll see how things go. We can only look at the table from April. If the situation is the same as it is now, then you can and can slowly, slowly think about more things.”

Noah Mayr (left) after his goal to make it 1-0. Noa Hochkofler (right) welcomes his teammate to celebrate the goal. © AKPHOTO

You weren't used much in the first Serie D season. Last season you were placed in central defense. Now again Series D. How big is the difference between Series D and the Oberliga?

Noa Hochkofler: “I would say there is a relatively big difference, especially in the technical and physical areas. The individual teams are much more compact and the game is much faster. The effort is also immense, especially when traveling away. In contrast to the top league, in Serie D you are on the move all Sunday. You start in the morning and don't come home until the evening. The training has also become much more strenuous and demanding since we have been in Serie D.”

On Sunday in Portogruaro you made a mistake in defense that led to the goal being conceded. Do you think that this mistake would have resulted in a goal being conceded in the top league?

Noa Hochkofler: “That was a stupid mistake on my part. Something like this should fundamentally be avoided. If you make a mistake like that in the top league, you run the risk of conceding a goal. In Serie D, however, smaller mistakes are generally punished much more effectively than in the top league. There is often still hope that you will be spared from conceding a goal.”

Nicholas Mlakar has been in the squad for the 4th year. He started the championship well and promisingly until the Brixen native was stopped by a 4 cm long muscle tear in his thigh. Nicholas, how long will the suffering continue?

Nicholas Mlakar: “I don’t feel anything anymore at the moment. My training is currently limited to running and strength training. Next week I'll do an ultrasound scan to see if the muscle tear has completely healed. If this is the case, it will take me 2 to 3 weeks until I am fully operational again.”

Because of your injury, you now had the opportunity to look at this high flight from the outside. How do you explain this run of success?

Nichoas Mlakar: “What’s going on here at the moment is huge. I don't think anyone would have expected that. Especially because we are one of the younger teams in terms of average age. In recent years, some experienced players have left the club and the squad has been supplemented with young players. That was definitely not a mistake. Maybe we lack a bit of experience as a result, but the young players have tremendous will and commitment and go a long way to compensate for any shortcomings.”

Nicholas Mlakar © Andreas Kemenater

Usually they say the table never lies. Is this also the case with Virtus? Do you hope or dream of moving up to the professional level? What lessons have been learned from the unfortunate relegation from Serie D in the 2020/21 season?

Nichoas Mlakar: “I think we learned a lot from this relegation. That's why our goal today is still to stay in the league. If more comes out in the end, we will gratefully accept it. If we win against Torviscosa on Sunday, we could become autumn or winter champions. If that happens, then you have to or can believe in advancement. But I emphasize that staying in the league is still the most important goal. One of the lessons from the 2020/21 season is certainly that you can only stay in the league when it is mathematically certain. Not a game day earlier.”

Andi Kicaj has been holding out his bones for Virtus Bozen for ages. The Volksbank employee has experienced all the ups (promotion and relegation) and downs (relegation) with the people of Bolzano. Andi, with 28 points after 15 games, can we dream of promotion to Serie C?

Andi Kicaj: “You can always dream. But we will definitely keep our feet on the ground. The first goal is to stay in the league. As soon as this goal is finalized, then you can dream.”

You've been with Virtus for what feels like forever. You have experienced many ups, but also downs. But it seems that things are still going in the right direction. Why?

Andi Kicaj: “In recent years the club has always been able to have players who are good footballers, but above all players who fit the club very well in terms of personality. That was and is the foundation and the reason that things are going very well at the moment. The young players in particular are willing and always want to get better. Every player respects the other and that is immensely important in a club and inevitably leads to success.”

Andi Kicaj (right). © DLife_DF

Many Serie D teams change almost their entire squad after one season. It's a little different for you. Most of the Oberliga promotion heroes are on board again this year.

Andi Kicaj: “What’s important is what the club is currently doing. Virtus Bozen believes in its youth players and sees them as reinforcement and enrichment for the first team. Young players from the city and the surrounding area in particular have the chance to recommend themselves at Virtus. This is not a given. I also have to say that these young players are all doing exceptionally well. I would also classify it as exceptional that 1% of the team from last year will also be playing in Serie D this year.”

Does it benefit the club more if it has players who wear and appreciate the jersey of their own city?

Andi Kicaj: “It certainly means a lot when you wear your own city’s jersey. This is definitely an additional incentive and you are able to get even more out of yourself.”

One who has finally made a breakthrough this year is the Italo-Cuban Adrian Osorio. He has already scored 7 goals. Adrian, 3rd year at Virtus. Things are going great for you this year?

Adrian Osorio: “I'm very happy with what I'm doing, but even more so with what we're doing as a team. Without this team effort, we wouldn't be where we are at the moment and I wouldn't be able to do what I do if the team didn't support me. You play football with eleven people and if everyone doesn't give the best out of themselves, then you won't be successful. Above all, we can count ourselves lucky that we have so many and such good young players.”

You've already scored 7 times so far. What is the reason for this explosion this season?

Adrian Osorio: “Basically my principle is that when I step on the field I want to have fun. I don't think I need to score goals. When I came to Bolzano two years ago, coach Sebastiani started working with me. He instilled in me that I can have fun, but I also have to be more concrete in front of the goal. Especially when I get close to the penalty area, I just have to be more efficient and more confident. I think I can do that quite well this year.”

7 goals in 15 games is a good calling card. Has this reached the peak of Adrian Osorio's career or could he still go on to the professional level?

Adrian Osorio: “A person must never stop dreaming. As soon as he stops dreaming of a higher goal, he stops and no longer develops. I'm currently at Virtus and I really like it here. If an offer comes in the future, I will listen to it. At the moment my full concentration is on Virtus Bozen. Only God knows the future. Of course, I always strive for higher things and as I said, if an inquiry or offer comes, I will listen to it calmly.”

A few years ago, President Robert Oberrauch appointed Gianluca Dalla Villa as general director. He is now a girl for everything. In addition to the finances, he also takes care of the transfer market, which is still open for a few days. 28 points after 15 games. Is Virtus already dreaming of promotion?

Gianluca Dalla Villa: “You can dream, but we keep our feet on the ground. As soon as we have 45 points and are still at the front, then we will think more about it.”

When the team was put together for the Serie D adventure in the summer, could you already sense that it could be a successful championship - at least so far - or were there also doubts?

Gianluca Dalla Villa: “I have to say that it is a completely different team than it was two years ago. Not better or worse, just different. The team consists of 2 to 5 experienced players and a variety of young talents. Many were already playing in the top league with coach Sebastiani and were already being prepared for a possible Serie D championship during this time. That is certainly a big advantage. In addition, these young players show great will and great commitment. As early as August it was clear that everyone was pulling together and everyone was getting the most out of themselves. Back then, we didn’t hope to be in first place at some point; our goal was to play a championship that had little to do with the relegation battle.”

Is anything else happening on the transfer market?

Gianluca Dalla Villa: “We are actually already planning for next season and are currently testing some promising youth players. We have little plans for the current transfer market, which closes in a few days. There isn't much that needs to be changed either. There are some requests for players. Only players who have played little or hardly any games to date are allowed to go. You have to give them match practice. New players are not absolutely necessary. Our financial possibilities are also limited and on the other hand, we definitely don't want the harmony in the team to be disturbed by new players. When in doubt, no one leaves, but no new player comes either. If a new player comes, it will be a player who falls under the youth rule.” The table SP G U V TV P 1. Virtus Bozen 15 8 4 3 29:21 28 2. Adriese 15 6 7 2 24:16 25 3. Legnago Salus 15 7 4 4 19:12 25 4. Chioggia 15 6 6 3 18:16 24 5. Luparensis 15 5 8 2 25:17 23 6. Campodarsego 15 6 4 5 20:19 22 7. Caldiero Terme 15 5 6 4 19:18 21 8. This 15 5 6 4 19:19 21 9. Cartigliano 15 5 6 4 22:21 21 10. Mestre 15 5 5 5 22:14 20 11. Montecchio M. 15 6 2 7 25:25 20 12. Levico Terme 15 4 6 5 10:14 18 13. Dolomiti Bellunesi 15 5 3 7 16:24 18 14. Villafranca 15 4 4 7 19:24 16 15. Cjarlin's Muzane 15 3 6 6 18:24 15 16. Portogruaro 15 4 3 8 17:24 15 17. Montebelluna 15 4 3 8 23:29 15 18. Torviscosa 15 4 3 8 11:19 15

Series D size C Italy	SP	TV	P
1. Chioggia	34	49:17	80
2. Dolomiti Bellunesi	34	56:25	66
3. Treviso 1993	34	51:37	60
4. Bassano	34	35:30	54
5. Campodarsego	34	42:26	51
6. This	34	44:33	51
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Is Virtus Bozen already ready for Series C? That's what the protagonists say

15 games have been played. Virtus Bozen has 28 points and leads the table in Serie D Group C. All this as a newcomer. A remarkable achievement by the team around successful coach Alfredo Sebastiani. We spoke to the protagonists.

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