Scarchilli: “Roma was a tremendous school for me, I grew up in Trigoria”
Statements from the former technical commentator of the Yellow-Red TV channel: “There are fewer football men than before because companies have expanded and there are various departments. An ambitious and sustainable team needs everything.”
Alessio Scarchilli, a former midfielder who grew up in the Roma youth system, spoke this morning on the airwaves of the capital’s broadcaster, “Radio Manà Manà Sport.” Scarchilli has served as a technical commentator for “RomaTV” and was also a scout for the yellow-reds until June 2024. This means he has experienced Roma on several levels and throughout this interview, he tackled various subjects, including the fact that football is undergoing major changes. He reflected on his Romanista past and also gave his opinion on the current trend where there are less and less ‘football men’ in clubs these days. Can I put 16 years of Rome on your business card?
“16 years after football. Football-wise, I grew up in Trigoria, Roma bought me when I was 12/13 years old, and I went through the whole process until I made my debut with my city’s team – the latest example being Pisilli. My passion had turned into a profession. At that time, Roma started from young ones, organising the ‘First Kicks’ tournament, in which affiliate clubs participated, having the first pick of the boys they wanted to bring over to Tre Fontane given that Trigoria came into existence a year later. What are you up to now?
“I’m studying, as football is ever-evolving. Those who’ve been on the field have an edge; one can study anything but the experience inside a locker room is something that can’t be learned from books.” Initially, I had a fancy for obtaining my coaching license, but in the end, I never got to start. But thanks to Roma, I had the chance to work alongside significant sports directors which was a grand educational experience. Moreover, I entered Rome Channel and was fortunate enough to witness the training methods of numerous coaches. This granted me the opportunity to engage in continuous learning and updating. “Currently, I am pursuing a course to become a sports director.”
“Are there fewer and fewer football men inside the clubs?”
“Yes, we are living in a world of data and statistics.” There are fewer football men now than ever before, as clubs have expanded and now boast several departments. An ambitious and sustainable club needs everything, but clearly, there are roles and skills and, above all, the linchpin of everything is a competitive team. “A strong team makes you appealing to powerful players and also at a corporate level. The ownership must possess the ability to wisely select the right individuals.” How does the scout department function?
“It’s essential that it keep track of all aspects of football, that it propose profiles. In today’s football, there should exist a club’s scout department because there are also scouts who are brought in by a sporting director and could leave anytime in the future. The scouting department and the sporting director are tirelessly working not only for the coach, but for the club as well. What’s essential is having an intimate understanding of the platform they are working towards. If we’re talking about Roma, it’s the Champions League – a goal that clearly necessitates an all-encompassing approach in their endeavors. “We have done our part until the last day, and in the container called AS Roma System, there are countless footballers we still follow.”
Who should value the work of scouting: the coach or the sports director?
“More the sports director. The sporting director maintains a direct line of communication with the coach while also leaning heavily on scouting. At times, both the sporting director and the coach simply do not have enough time to get to know each and every player. “They may ask for specific features and you try your best to accommodate them, which also includes the financial aspect. It’s not the price tag that determines the quality of the footballers, the key thing is to get to the players as soon as possible.” We have had to contend with the constraints of Financial Fair Play, with Tiago Pinto putting up barriers that prevented us from buying players outright. This year, Roma managed to pull it off, while we were shackled by the transfer balance, forced to either loan players or sign them on a free transfer. “It’s not that simple, there are many factors involved in a negotiation,” this statement underscores the intricate nature of soccer deals.
Pinto revealed that Roma had a grade system of A, B, and C for the players under scrutiny: so, beyond their value, what were the characteristics that listed a player in a particular category? Which players did you follow at Roma and foresee becoming a phenomenon, and indeed they did? Conversely, who failed to become a sensation?
Pinto enlightens us on their unique quick and savvy system for identifying promising players. There were no actual lists, but when we wanted to secure a footballer, we’d label him as ‘A’. Then there was the player to monitor with interest, the one to just keep an eye on and the one we didn’t think wouldn’t suit our needs. This also accelerates the work of the sports director because otherwise, he would have to read through countless reports and it would be impossible to manage. One must be quick and agile, but it’s not straightforward. Even today, I closely follow the football players I have recommended to Roma, curious to see whether other clubs share my perspective. We have been rather proficient. The national youth teams give you an idea of the caliber of the footballer, but it’s crucial to understand the squares and the cultural characteristics of a society and a city. I know that if I take a South American player at the age of 16, in terms of personality, they are already well-formed. There, they rise to prominence for their talent and personal strength. They may arrive raw to the first team, but once they come to Europe, they refine their technical skills and tactics. Let’s recall the early days of Batistuta, initially fumbling a few stops, then he started smashing through defences with his powerful shots.