🎙️ INTERVIEW | Alieu Fadera opens up

He arrived in the rossoblù with enthusiasm and the desire to immediately make himself available to the team. Alieu Fadera, born in 2001, tells the official channels of Cagliari Calcio about his first sensations after arriving in Sardinia, the characteristics he wants to put at the service of the team and the objectives for the new season.

THE RIGHT CHOICE
“When I spoke with the coach, I had very positive feelings. He clearly explained what he expected from me, and that convinced me. Considering the Club’s history as well, it wasn’t a difficult choice. I’m happy I made it because I feel it was the right one. Arriving and immediately being available for Parma means that the team and the coach have confidence in you. I’m really excited, and I was very happy about the win.”

SPEED, DEPTH, AGGRESSIVENESS
“I consider myself a very direct player. My strengths include speed and the desire to take on defenders. I always try to be present in the box to capitalize on opportunities, while also helping defensively. I’d say speed and aggressiveness are two of my main characteristics.”

LOTS OF EXPERIENCE IN EUROPE
“Every country and every league I’ve played in has given me something new to learn,” he explains. “Coming from Africa, arriving in Slovakia was completely different from what I was used to. I had to adapt, especially from a tactical point of view. In Belgium, I gained a lot of experience: it was a very physical and more tactical league. Coming to Italy is once again completely different. Serie A is a very high-level league and requires even greater concentration.
“With the experience I’ve gained over the last two seasons, I continue to grow. A player always has many areas in which he can improve. There is always room to improve my game,” he explains. “I’m always open to learning new things. As an attacking player, you want to help the team score goals and provide assists. Those are the things I always want to improve, day after day. “The coach was very clear about his expectations of me. I know that one of my qualities is making runs in behind the defenders, and I think that’s one of the ways I can contribute to the team.”

THE GOALS
“Goal or assist? The important thing is that the team wins. Scoring is a fantastic feeling, but I think providing an assist is just as important as scoring a goal, because you put your teammate in a position to score. In the end, the most important thing is that the team wins. I like playing on the left, but I think an attacking player needs to develop to be able to play wherever the coach needs him. I try to be versatile, to play on the right, on the left, wherever the coach wants me to play.”

A NEW EXPERIENCE
«Before arriving I knew Paul Mendy, because he is from Senegal and I am from Gambia. We are neighboring countries. Many of the others I met through football, but I am very happy and can’t wait to get to know them even better. I think one of the team’s strengths is also the fans. On both occasions I came here, the first thing you noticed was the crowd. It has always been an intense experience, a difficult match against Cagliari. But now I’m here. I can’t wait to experience the positive side of that atmosphere. I’m starting to get to know the city already in these first days, but obviously I’ve already read and heard something. Some of my teammates on the previous team had already played here and they spoke very well to me about the city, even recommending some places to me. When I’m not playing football or watching football, I spend quality time with family and friends. I try to relax, stay calm at home and maybe go out and see something interesting.”

CONNECTION WITH MY COUNTRY
“Cagliari represents a huge step in my career, but playing for the national team is always something extraordinary. Since I was a child, I’ve always dreamed of representing my country. Having the opportunity to do so, especially at this stage of my career, is something special.”

A MESSAGE TO THE FANS
“In the end, what matters most is what happens on the pitch. You have to believe in the team and in yourself. Until now, I’ve been on the other side, but now I’m here with you, and I can’t wait to see you by our side starting on Sunday.”