Francesco Zezzari: "With Cipriani's ownership, the Ravenna club has made great progress"

This morning, former Ravenna player, Francesco Zezzare, spoke during his radio show, where he spoke not only about his former team, but also about his youth-oriented project, a summer camp that will continue until next month. Zezzari explained: “We are very happy to be able to implement a project that is considered among the most important at the national level: it is called the FZ11 Academy, and it welcomes young people from all over Italy. The project started on June 10 and will continue until July 10 in the city of Pistoia, and then we will go to Portera Terme from 12 to 23, and there are still places available. We focus on young people, not only from a sporting point of view, but also from an educational point of view. The mobile phone is not prohibited during the day in the camp, but Keeping busy, except to connect with others and build friendships. We also work to educate young people about food waste, and what is not consumed is given to an association in Pistoia that helps the homeless. All the details are explained on our Instagram page.”

“It is an important project for sure, in a country like Italy where young people are not taken into account. Because it is strange that there are not more Italian young champions...”

"The main problem is that there is less time devoted to aspects that might be taken for granted in football, such as freedom, imagination, creativity. In our camps, we work a lot on confrontations, individual challenges, mistakes - which I call a correction rather than a mistake - and how to deal with them, but in a fun way, because the most important thing is for the young people to have fun. But in Italy, when you make the first mistake, you judge it. Everyone should have more chances."

"While Ravenna did nothing wrong: Ronaldinho's move was certainly a marketing move and an indication of the future, where the Brazilian will be included in the club's shareholder group. "I know that environment well, I spent a great season there. This was a genius marketing move, as it was talked about all over the world, and everyone knew Ravenna, perhaps even those who did not know her exact location. When the city is famous for things like the mosaics and Dante's tomb, it is a wonderful city that I recommend everyone to visit. In football, since the Cipriani ownership resumed its activity, it has made significant progress. It has been difficult to get the football talking in a place that has seen some difficulties in recent years, but the new ownership has succeeded in doing so. Regardless of whether Ronaldinho will appear on the field or whether he will do so only as part of the image, she has achieved what she sought: to make everyone talk about Ravenna.

“Do you think a kind of ‘Como 2’ could be developed there, also from an environmental and social perspective?”
“Como is a great example of a reality that can make it to the Champions League. I think the continuity of trust in a coach like Fabregas has affected a lot, as he created a brand of football and tried to do something different: we have to give him credit because he achieved what many did not think was possible. I think Ravenna has all the potential to achieve the same thing, both in terms of ownership, ambition and opportunities: it is an important place for football. "And Ronaldinho is a great calling card, also for the Italian third division."

“Do the Yellow and Reds have a commitment to reach League Two next season?”
“I think Ravenna shouldn't hide. This year, with all the announcements and everything she does, including the recent Ronaldinho deal, it is natural to talk about Ravenna, who has big ambitions.”

---

Related Articles

1. Serie C
2. Serie C