Slovenian forward Ilicic has played in Serie A for many years. He spent the most glorious period of his career in Atlanta. Now, at the age of 37, he plays in Koper, Slovenia. In an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Ilicic looked back on his career.
On whether to consider retiring
Actually I have thought about retiring, but I have known the director and chairman here for 25 years. When they asked me for help, I immediately agreed. I want to continue enjoying football as long as my health allows.
About Sabatini saying that he has "natural melancholy"
In the eyes of outsiders, I seem to be drowsy. When I played in Atlanta, they called me "grandma". However, I never want to lose, and I often instill this philosophy in my daughter. The more they pressured me and insulted me, the stronger I became. I will hold my head high and let them know who I am instead of being secretive.
About my career in Palermo
At that time I had a strong supporter, and that was President Zamparini. He is obsessed with my style of play, just like Pastore and Miccoli, and he will appreciate players who can show something different.
Zamparini was very protective of me. Whenever things were not going well, he would invite me to his house and even send a helicopter to pick me up. He said he would find the best manager for me, but after just one month the manager was fired. If that team had been consistent, we could have achieved a lot more.
About my time in Fiorentina
It was a complicated situation, and as much as I hate to admit it, I was done with the Fiorentina fans. They always criticized me for making too much, but twice in four years I was the top scorer and the assist leader. Am I really bad? Really? We finished fourth in the league, but that was not enough. We reached the semi-finals of the Europa League and that was not enough. My only regret there was not winning a cup. Still, I still have a house in Florence, which is a top city. Occasionally my family goes there.
About joining Atlanta
I had decided to join Sampdoria, but Gasperini called me the day before and asked me if I wanted to play for him. When I told him my salary, he replied: "So what? What's the problem?" That's when I understood what Gasperini's training camp was.
About Gasperini's training method
Between training after training, you can't sleep at all: your legs hurt, you are exhausted, and you even want to vomit. However, Gasperini can deeply affect your thinking. If you've passed the three-week double-training and forest-running test, you'll understand. How many games have we turned around? We were able to hold on for 90 minutes, while our opponents collapsed after 60 minutes. Sometimes Gasperini and I have arguments, but when we respect each other, arguments are normal.
About his career in Atlanta
When I met Paratici in London two years ago, he said that our striker strength was enough to win the championship. At that moment, I understood everything. I played with the likes of Papu Gomez, Muriel and Pasalic and scored goals with my eyes closed. We did what others couldn't do, we scored two goals at Anfield and five goals against Milan and Parma. That team just lacked a trophy, we reached the Coppa Italia final twice but that game in 2019 felt like we never played at all.
On whether he is still upset about Bastos' handball
I have never seen Perkasie so angry, it was a penalty plus a red card. I lost four finals, but that was the worst.
On scoring four goals in the Champions League against Valencia
A lot of people asked me: “What would you have achieved if those things hadn’t happened, like COVID, depression, etc.?” I don’t know, but we would have made it to the Champions League final. I We were in great shape and we were fearless, that's what we thought. Atlanta changed the history of football in Valencia and we became an example. But at the same time, the world started to stop and the lights went out...
On whether you want to give up when you are in trouble
{. 4}I won’t talk about personal matters. I was paid to tell my story, but I keep the details to myself.On why I suffer from depression
I don’t know if I can continue to play football. When you are trapped at home, you start to think. I spent 42 days alone in Bergamo without my family, which was very painful for me. Money, contracts, none of that mattered anymore, I was very uncomfortable. The rumors about my wife make my heart ache.
Regarding someone claiming that he cheated on his wife,
this is completely Totally wrong. Could I find my wife with someone else? She was incredibly insulted.
On why I don’t deny the rumors
They will ask me what happened and why I am no longer the same person. But family, friends and teammates know the truth.
As to why these rumors appeared
Because I was at my peak and no one knew about my situation, something had to get out. Eventually, I returned home. In Slovenia, it is as if COVID-19 does not exist; Bergamo, coffins being transported in trucks, it was a horrific sight. I also experienced the Astori tragedy a few years ago, when we played together in Fiorentina, and it affected me a lot.
About the relationship with Gasperini
Gasperini made me understand who he was and where he was at that time. Our relationship was also very special and I will never forget everything he did for me. In 2018, I was hospitalized with an infection and was afraid I would never wake up. A week later he said to me: “Josip, get up, we’re going to play. " I said: "Coach, I can't stand up. "He said, "I don't care, you have to play.. "The same thing happened against Valencia. After the third goal I asked for a substitution and he ignored me and I scored the fourth. He pushed me to the limit that I didn't think was possible. What can I say about Gasperini saying he deserves the Ballon d'Or? I never say that I How good I was, but I was in really good shape at the time. I don’t know what would have happened if I joined Real Madrid, but I only entered the gym for the first time when I was playing in Palermo in 2010. If I had been training systematically since I was 17 years old...
About which teams wanted to get me.
I negotiated the joining with Naples and also talked with Ancelotti, but Percassi (Atalanta chairman) blocked everything. I was also contacted by Milan and Bologna, where Mihajlovic was still coaching at the time. However, I have no regrets about such a thing. Rather than being an ordinary player in a big club, it would be better to play a starring role in Atalanta.
On why I left Atlanta
The Achilles tendon problem coupled with the weight fluctuations made me very painful, and I will never be able to get back to my previous state. I tried acupuncture and many other treatments to no avail.
source:7m live scores 2in1