Pierluigi Gollini’s interview with the Italian media on Monday included a number of criticisms about the Championship and his treatment by the management of the club.
The Italian describes how he felt badly treated after the sacking of Roberto Di Matteo. The goalkeeper made 10 appearances under Steve Bruce before being benched. After the arrival of Sam Johnstone on loan in January 2017, he was sent on an 18-month loan to Atalanta before signing permanently with the Serie A side this summer. He was quoted as saying (quotes via Sport Witness):
“I didn’t feel good with the new English coach and with his companions. On arrival, I was greeted coldly, while at the Atalanta everything was different. I played a lot with Aston Villa, but I wanted to go back to Italy.”
Most fans on Twitter were not sympathetic to the stopper’s complaints:
Pass Him a tissue
— David (@whitenite1823) 19 June 2018
Is it a football career he wants?! Or to be a lollypop man?
— Andrew Service (@AndoServise) 19 June 2018
He’s right about Bruce though no tactics
— Dave Jones. (@Jonesy1958) 20 June 2018
Well I guess he’d get found out in championship as he did in PL as he will in Serie A, @piergollo talks about no tactics helps if he knew how to save a goal and not pass to an opponent in his first game so basically bye n good riddance????????????????♂️????????
— ogeedj (@ogee1968) 19 June 2018
So doesn’t want to step up to the plate and have to prove himself… ????♂️
— Daniel Irvine (@danirvine7) 19 June 2018
Whereas in Italy you get 20 minutes to have nap in most games…
— h avfc (@OnePabloAngel) 19 June 2018
To be fair his overview is pretty accurate still don’t mean he’s any good though
— Simon H (@sjh63lion) 20 June 2018
Gollini might be a talented keeper, but he comes across as a very arrogant and weak minded person. Another poor investment by the the club… #avfc
— Chrsmo (@Chrsmo) 20 June 2018
Another player that needs someone to work everything out for him. Complained more than he played
— Guy Bradley (@GuyBradley) 20 June 2018
Verdict:
It was pretty much the case of the new manager not liking what he was seeing from his number one goalkeeper. Gollini’s swift replacement in a matter of months is a clear indication he just wasn’t rated.
Since returning to Italy, he hasn’t really done anything of note, having been Atalanta’s number two and failing to establish himself in the first team.
