Nicolò Fagioli, now thriving at Fiorentina after a tumultuous departure from Juventus, has opened up about his journey in a candid interview with Corriere dello Sport. The midfielder’s story is one of personal growth, challenges, and newfound freedom.
Emotional Farewell to Juventus
Fagioli’s exit from Juventus was an emotional rollercoaster. “I reclaimed my life,” he revealed. “I spent eleven years at Juve. When I decided to leave in late December, I felt lighter. But when the moment of goodbye came, I cried. It was a big shock.” He described the departure as traumatic, realizing he was closing a long chapter of his life.
A New Chapter at Fiorentina
The move to Florence has allowed Fagioli to shed his “youngster” image. “Leaving Turin allowed me to outgrow the ‘kid’ phase, which was becoming very restrictive. Moise [Kean] experienced the same thing. At Juve, we were always seen as the youth sector products, the Next Gen guys, treated as such. It’s a price we paid.”
Fagioli expressed gratitude for the warm welcome at Fiorentina. “Fiorentina welcomed me with great affection, and the novelty eventually overshadowed everything else,” he said.
The Juventus Experience
Reflecting on his time at Juventus, Fagioli shared, “At Juve, you can’t even enjoy the victories. You win a match, you have to immediately forget it and look ahead. If you don’t win, you feel all the world’s responsibilities on your shoulders. Wearing that jersey isn’t simple.”
He added, “At Juve, you must win, win, win. You can’t make mistakes. If you do, you’re out. And if you’re the young player, you become the first substitution, and no one says anything.”
Coaches and Playing Time
Fagioli didn’t hold back when discussing his experiences under different managers. “Only Allegri gave me the opportunity to play consistently. After Genoa and Leipzig, Motta no longer considered me,” he stated.
He emphasized the importance of a coach’s trust: “When you know the coach doesn’t see you, if there’s a lack of trust, you prepare worse, you go to the field, you feel the heaviness of training, and naturally, you don’t perform.”
A Fresh Start
The move to Fiorentina has rejuvenated Fagioli’s career and outlook. “Florence has given me back the pleasure and lightness. Little Fagioli is dead; today, I’m Nicolò,” he declared.
Discussing his position on the field, Fagioli showed flexibility: “It depends on what the coach asks of me, whether I need to play higher or lower. I’m comfortable in Palladino’s three-man midfield.”
