Filippo Antonelli, Sporting Director & General Manager of Venezia FC, spoke today at the Ca’ Venezia press room.

Filippo Antonelli, Sporting Director & General Manager:
“The January transfer window has closed, but the league, as we well know, gives us no respite. On Saturday, we face a top-of-the-table clash one of those matches that truly matter, that really test you.

Today, I want to share some reflections with you: on the transfer window that just ended, on the present of Venezia FC, and of course, on our future.

We approached this transfer window with a very clear idea: over the summer, we built a competitive squad which, under the guidance of Mister Stroppa, is growing with a strong technical identity and a well-defined goal to fight in every match to bring Venezia back to the top flight.
It must be said that this technical project did not start today. Its roots are deep and solid.

This season began with significant sacrifices from the ownership, to whom I extend my heartfelt thanks for the trust and support they have always shown me, as well as for the freedom and speed with which they allow me to operate, despite the initial challenges of a relegation that was fought until the end but was still painful.

These difficulties affected everyone: the newcomers, the coaching staff, the sporting department, myself and my team whom I take this opportunity to sincerely thank for their constant support.

We began this journey with a clear objective: to retain the core of the Serie A squad, strengthening it to be protagonists in Serie B, while also laying the foundations for a solid future.

We did this because we wanted to provide continuity, stability, and build a serious project one capable of making our fans proud and enhancing the club’s profile nationally and internationally.

In the summer, we brought in players who fit our technical plan and chose an experienced and successful coach like Giovanni Stroppa. A coach who, over the years, has proven his ability to enhance teams and guide them to their goals. The results and the team’s growth so far are a direct reflection of that work.

During the January transfer window, we made moves starting from already solid foundations. We added Farji, Dagasso, and Lauberbach three players who, in my opinion, can make a concrete contribution to Venezia’s present and future.

At the same time, we made a clear choice: to keep the team’s structure intact, because we are convinced that this group still has tremendous room for growth.

These players are already achieving important things, but they can and must still improve. And improving does not always mean changing; sometimes, it just means refining, adding quality, and finding new solutions.

We also signed young talents such as Mariani, Ligue, Lamine Fanne, and Panada players who have been loaned out to allow them to grow, mature, and gain experience, with the goal of having them return ready for the Venezia of the future.

The same applies to Fila, Condé, and Altare, who, for different reasons, needed consistency and playing time to recover and demonstrate their value. We wish them all the best for an important second half of the season because every individual growth is also growth for Venezia FC.

A special thought goes to Nicolussi Caviglia a technical and economic asset of ours. In Florence, during a challenging first half of the season, he didn’t get the chance to perform at his level, finding little continuity.

The decision to transfer him to Parma was driven by the desire to give him space to return to the level he showed last year wearing our jersey. If Parma remains in Serie A, they will have the option to redeem him.

This transfer session, made possible by the efforts of our ownership and the constant presence of our managers Tancredi Vitale, Giorgio Francia, Andrea Rogg, and President Duncan Niederauer followed a clear message: Venezia FC is a major player in Serie B and seriously, solidly, and credibly aims to earn a place in Serie A.

This should make everyone proud, especially you fans who have always been there in both the good times and the more difficult ones. For us, your support is incredibly valuable.

Since my arrival, the shared objective with the club has been clear: to bring stability to a technical and sporting project that allows the club to grow sustainably, withstand fluctuations in results, and build a meaningful future.

In recent days, I’ve asked myself: where are we on our journey? In many ways, we are ahead. But let’s be honest: the road is still long both on and off the pitch.

We have ambitious and passionate ownership, just as passionate as my staff and I are. And we want to continue this path with determination and without shortcuts.

The results tell us we’re going through a good period, and that’s not by chance it’s the result of the daily work of Mister Stroppa, his staff, and the players. Professionals who are showing commitment to the shirt, a desire to improve, and attention to detail. When you work this way, results come.

We’re near the top of the table, and we got here thanks to three key principles: balance, hard work, and hunger for victory.

Balance, because we don’t let ourselves be swayed by emotions not in difficult times, nor in the positive ones.
Hard work, because the league table isn’t built with words, but by training hard every day, preparing one match at a time, focusing on details, and suffering together.
Hunger for victory, because this group wants to grow with real ambition.

All of us at the Unione fans, team, local press, technical staff, and club can be satisfied with what we’ve done so far. But we must also be driven every day by an insatiable desire to always do better.

Dear arancioneroverdi supporters, your push and support must never be lacking they are essential against any opponent, match after match.

On Saturday we defeated a tough team, and you were amazing. Those three points are very valuable, and now I want to see the Penzo always full and electric until the end of the season.

We’ve earned the right to be near the top, alongside Frosinone, Monza, Palermo, and other important clubs. We certainly like our position in the standings right now and above all, it reminds us that it was hard work that brought us here, and only by continuing to work with this same balance and hunger for victory will we be able to stay here until the end.

The next challenge is called Frosinone another top team in the league and I want to make it clear: we must not give in to easy enthusiasm. The standings only matter at the final whistle of the last game, when we’ve achieved the result. I don’t want any feeling that we’ve already reached our goal that would be the most dangerous trap.

I read that we are “the strongest,” “the best-looking,” “the best at everything.” But only we know where we started from. Only we know the work behind these results, and most importantly, only we know how much work is still needed to reach the goal.

We have chosen balance as our guiding principle since the start of the season in difficult moments and in positive ones. Today, all of us the coach, staff, and players are sure of one thing: only the final result will determine if we are really that strong. And that goal can only be built one training session, one match, and one detail at a time.

That is what will lead us to our goal, allowing us to bring immense joy to our wonderful people the people of the Unione. For me, Venezia is not a division; it is a project and a dream to be realized!”