THE PRESS CONFERENCE INTRODUCING IONUT RADU

This morning, Ionut Radu spoke at the press conferenze in VFC headquarter Ca’Venezia.

Ionut Radu:
"I chose to accept this challenge at Venezia because I am convinced that this is the right place to prove my worth. I spoke with Filip Stanković, with whom I have a special relationship, and I had no doubts when the opportunity arose. I really feel sorry for him—he was having a great season—but now my goal is to continue what he was doing and give my best.

Life is made up of good and bad moments, but right now, I want to focus only on the present and contribute to the team to achieve our objective. Here, I have found a healthy environment with generous people who put us in the best conditions to work. We have no excuses: everyone gives their all for us, and it is our duty to repay this commitment on the pitch.

We have a strong team, and I really appreciate coach Di Francesco's playing philosophy. I think we just need a bit more decisiveness, but I am sure our moment will come. Sometimes, all it takes is a spark to change the course of a season and trigger a series of positive results. The coach gives us great confidence and asks us to play the ball. If we continue to follow his ideas while minimizing mistakes in key situations, the results will come.

It’s normal to feel a bit of anxiety after so long without playing, but in these past months, I have prepared myself as best as I could with a clear goal in mind. Of course, it hasn’t been easy, because it had been more than a year since my last match, but as an old saying goes: ‘A fool prays for an easier road, a wise man prays for stronger legs.’ This period has made me stronger and more prepared because I knew that sooner or later, my moment would come.

If we didn’t believe in survival, we wouldn’t be here. Everyone is working hard, and we have the means to make it. The group is united, determined, and aware of what it takes to turn the season around. Sometimes, all it takes is a single moment to change the course.

Against Genoa, we are expecting a tough match, but we must step onto the pitch with a winning mentality. This is the only thought we must have: play with grit and determination to achieve the result we want.

Handanović has always been a point of reference for me, both on and off the field. He was an extraordinary goalkeeper, a true champion. As for the number 28, my younger sister chose it for me."