Abuse from Chagaev and a 2-2 draw at Anfield

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393 Super League games, 199 Challenge League games, 4 barrage games and 4 promotion/relegation games on debut in spring 2002. 155 goals. These are impressive figures that Raphaël Nuzzolo can boast of. Only: for the record in the highest division, that is not enough for the Bielse ice hockey fan who is rooting for SCB. Another Xamaxien has the most appearances in the upper house: Philippe Perret has made it to 540 games. Six more than national coach Urs Fischer of Union Berlin.

The luxury of self-determination

So now it’s almost over. A few days before «Nuzz» turns 40. This will happen on July 5. “I’m in a privileged position. I won’t be forced to stop. Neither because of injuries nor because of a missing contract. That’s a great luxury!” He always wanted to play for a long time, says Nuzzolo today. And thanks his body for making it possible. “And the ones who kept it up, that I could hold the level to the end.”

The oldest was 44!

Nor is he the oldest player. That was Lausanne defender Hans Stalder, who hung up his football boots on October 29, 1944 at the biblical age of 44 years and nine months. Nuzzolo is number ten in this oldies ranking above Super and Challenge League. By the way: six out of ten are from this millennium!

“What am I still doing on the field?”

Soon 40. No wonder ‘Nuzz’ sometimes wonders: what am I still doing on the field when all my buddies have long since stopped and are drinking a beer in the stands? “And when I look at the match sheets, I can’t even find players who were born in 1987 or 1988. In 1983 I…”

On the other hand, Nuzzolo could be the father of some of his teammates. “We have boys born in 2004 and 2005 in the selection. Still, I don’t feel old mentally. I often tease the boys. And above all, I try not to be a know-it-all grump.” He doesn’t have to either. The boys come to him of their own accord to ask for his advice. And yet, what do you think? Is there a kind of grandpa feeling? “You’ll have to ask her yourself. All I can say is I don’t feel it. I feel respect.”

Respect. We also have that for Nuzzolo’s professional career, in which there was only room for two clubs: Xamax and YB. The attacking midfielder takes us on a journey through time in five steps.

Five magical Nuzzolo moments

• The most important goal: “Two. One is not in the big spotlight. It was the 2-1 winner in the 95th minute in Kriens, who were leaders in the 2007 Challenge League. That’s how we started the climb. The second speaks for itself: a goal You never forget against Liverpool! Even though we lost 5-3 in the Europa League with YB in September 2012.”
• The most beautiful game: ‘Two too. On the one hand, of course, Liverpool. The away game at Anfield in the same season. We made it 2-2 thanks to Elsad Zverotic’s late hammer. But also the 2014 Europa League match against Napoli, which we probably lost 3-0. But my father is from Campania. A game by his son in what was then San Paolo was almost mythical.”
• The Biggest Emotions: “Clearly it’s the 2019 Barrage against Aarau. We lose 4-0 at home and sit in the dressing room of the Maladière until 4 am to understand what happened. To make matters worse, I was sent off, so I was suspended in the second leg – and then we create this miracle! Also win 4-0 and win in the penalty shootout. That was unbelievable and actually inexplicable! A life lesson. Just to judge: in Europe there have been some big so-called remontadas, a handicap of four goals has been made up for. But always with the second leg in their own stadium. Never gone.”
• The worst blow: «The 2011 cup final. After four lost finals, we finally wanted to win the first cup for Xamax. And we wanted to be the first to beat FC Sion in a final. And then we’re down 2-0 at halftime. President Bulat Chagayev stormed the hut and insulted us in the worst way.”
• The craziest moment: I hope that will be the next barrage, my very last career game with the celebration of my stay in the league. Since Uli Forte has been coach, we have only prepared for these two games. Something happened that I’ve never experienced in my career: the results don’t matter much and we don’t look at the table anymore. With Uli, whom I know very well from my YB time, we have the perfect trainer for this mission. But it would be really cool if Xamax had to descend to say goodbye. Because this big club in an amateur league – that would be great! »

Source : Blick