It's wonderful to be back in Pienza again...to see our old friends and to make a few new ones.
It's fall, and that means it's calcio season (Actually, in Italy, every season is calcio season.)
Let's get a few things straight about calcio in Pienza.
This is not the big leagues. The Pietini are to Serie A soccer what the Everett Aquasox are to the Seattle Mariners.
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| courtesy: Talksport |
Serie A stars like Gonzalo Higuan make salaries in the millions of Euros. The Pientini have to hold down day jobs, so they can afford to play on the weekends.
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| courtesy: Wikiwand |
Serie A teams play in sports palaces.
The stadium in Pienza is...shall we say...a bit more modest.
The history of soccer in Pienza is not crowned in glory.
Three years ago they finished dead last in their division of Serie D...the lowest league in the country. The Pientini had half the points of the team just ahead of them, and that team finished in 17th place.
Not even the proximity of Santa Caterina church...50 meters from the stadium...was much help in bringing victories to the home team.
But, my, how things have changed.
There's a new coach (in red) prowling the sidelines....
A pair of new players have stiffened up a leaky defense.
The Pientini have become an affiliate of the Serie A team from Verona...infusing some spirit (and perhaps some cash) into the operation.
The result:
After six weeks, the Pientini stand in second place, strongly positioned for the playoffs.
As always, winning has done wonders for attendance.
So, it was with a good deal of optimism that Roger headed for last Sunday's match.
Our friend Arnoldo, who manages the sports complex, made sure the field was groomed to perfection.
The opposing team was from Torrenieri...a town more noted for its excellent pastry shop than for its soccer prowess.
So, when the local youngsters escorted the Pientini onto the pitch, there was anticipation in the stands that good things were about to happen.
But alas, it was not to be.
The weaker Torrinieri team shut down the passing lanes. The Pientini were not able to sustain any offense.
In the first half, they had only one shot on goal...and it hit the post.
The game ended in a scoreless tie, and the Pientini dropped down one place in the standings.
Disappointing, naturally.
But then there are still 9 matches left to play.
