Hellas Verona’s goalkeeper Rafael said that his side’s defensive performances in the upcoming Serie A season will be the key to improving on the 13th place in the 2014/15 standings.
Playing for the Gialloblu through the Lega Pro divisions and Serie B before the team’s return to Serie A in 2013, the Brazilian goalkeeper, now 33, will enter his ninth season at the Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi as one of the most experienced players in the squad.
“In Verona I grew as a man and an athlete,” Rafael told L’Arena. “I still remember the teammates of the early days.
“With some of them, like [Juan] Gomez, [Domenico] Maietta, and [Emil] Hallfredsson we even reached Serie A.
“It is really unbelievable.”
After the short trip down memory lane, Rafael restrained to make a prediction to where the Gialloblu will stand during the new season, but said that defensive improvement would help them make a break into the top half of the table.
“Whether it is the battle for survival or Europe, everything is possible,” he said.
“We must try to concede fewer goals than last season and we are already working on that.”
Rafael did not miss the opportunity to praise Verona’s new signing Giampaolo Pazzini, who last played for AC Milan.
“I am sure he will score many goals and lead Verona up, higher and higher.”
