Joachim Degasperi – 300 professional games and not a bit tired

Congratulations on your 300th competitive appearance in Italian professional football. Did you celebrate the anniversary appropriately?

To be honest, not at all. I only recently found out that I had cracked the 300 mark. Besides, I don't feel like celebrating at the moment. I want to finally overcome my groin injury so that I can help Bassano in the promotion race.

You are just 30 years old, but due to your experience you are already a veteran in the lower professional leagues. How does that feel?

I feel very comfortable in my role. So far I've mostly had older teammates, and this season is the first time that I'm actually one of the more experienced players in the team. Our team currently consists largely of 19 to 22 year olds. It's incredibly exciting to support the young players in their development and give them tips.

You left FC Südtirol and your homeland at the age of 18. What have been the most formative experiences in your career since then?

There are certainly three seasons that particularly stand out. On the one hand, my first year as a teenager in Serie B and my first goal, and on the other hand, returning to Serie B with Cittadella. But the six months in Taranto, which were not very successful in terms of sport, also had a big impact on me. I don't want to miss this unique experience so far from home.

Not too long ago you missed promotion to Serie A in the playoffs with Cittadella, now you play in the fourth division with Bassano. Did something go wrong in your career planning? No, I wouldn't say that. My career could certainly have taken me further, but I can't blame myself. In the crucial moments you simply have to be in the right place. That was the case for me in Cittadella, where I had eleven wonderful years. The only real break in my career came after I moved to Bassano. After six months we were relegated to the 2nd division. The club invested a lot of money in me back then, which I have not yet been able to repay with sporting achievements.

You played in Serie B for a total of five years. What advice can you give to players like Manuel Scavone or Manuel Fischnelller who are trying to make it in the second division?

You might have to ask Simon Laner, who is under contract with a top club in the second division and has already played in Serie A himself. I can only advise them both to have a lot of patience and to continue to work hard on themselves. Scavone no longer has to prove anything, he has already been promoted to Serie A with Novara. In Reggio Calabria they think big things are happening for Fiwickeler. He will definitely get his chance.

How long will we see Joachim Degasperi in various Italian football stadiums?

I hope for a few more years because I still find great joy in playing football. My contract with Bassano expires in the summer. I hope that I can continue to stay in Veneto, my second home. But I make no secret of the fact that it would be my dream to play for FC Südtirol again. The club is probably pursuing completely different goals at the moment.

I assume you will remain loyal to football even after your time as an active player... I have no alternatives because I can't do anything other than play football (laughs). I don't see the prospects on the job market as rosy either. No seriously, my goal is to work as a trainer in the future.

Joachim Degasperi's career in numbers:

Serie B Cittadella - 93 games, 4 goals

Lega Pro, 1st Division (ex Serie C1) Cittadella - 183 games, 33 goals Taranto - 6 games, 0 goals Bassano - 11 games, 2 goals

Lega Pro, 2nd Division Bassano - 8 games, 0 goals

Series D FC Südtirol - 35 games, 9 goals

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Joachim Degasperi – 300 professional games and not a bit tired

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