The fans' idol, the man of the important goals but not a lot of playing time. Only 217 minutes until now, barely 748 minutes in 11 months. This is how Manolo Gabbiadini's time is going at Southampton, who's seen his career change in last November mostly because of Italy - Sweden: "It's been a tough year, I've suffered because of the San Siro result and the few chances I could have at Southampton - has he told La Gazzetta dello Sport - I've lived difficult moments".
"I was surprised to hear Ventura telling me I'd start the game. You could see the tension on the players' faces in the locker room. I was motivated, San Siro was full of people and it was an incredible emotion. I've read and heard a lot of things. I'll only say that we could have won with a three-man defense or a four-man one, with Insigne or without him. There already was a negative atmosphere after the first leg, when we lost and took a lot of hits. It annoys me that people want to blame someone: we've all lost. At the end of the game some players were crying, others who weren't moving, and others who showered and left. Everyone reacts in his own way, it's annoying this game will stay in history but the only thing we can do is try to get the national team back to where it belongs. I remember the party in 2006 with my friends. I'd like to celebrate on the pitch next time. If I wouldn't be in the squad, I'd support the team in front of the tv because the Azzurri's shirt is the most we can do. I don't know Mancini, the project is nice but everything depends on how I'll play with Southampton. If I play".
"I don't know why I don't play. My situation changed when Puel got sacked and Pellegrino took the job. I got back from the Sweden game and I got on the bench, because -in his words- he thought I was sad. Excuses, obviously. Then, with Hugues, the situation didn't change. I've never went and asked explanations, because I still wouldn't have had the truth. I keep training and when I'm needed, I'm there. Like at Swansea: I got in and scored a decisive goal".
And today, his Southampton will face Sarri, his coach at Napoli who didn't make him play a lot either. But Gabbiadini hasn't hard feelings: "I'll shake his hand, I have nothing against him. I just didn't like the little consideration he had for the substitutes, but it's really exceptional on the pitch. It was hard leaving Napoli, I'd have stayed, I'd have gladly stayed".
