Virtus, more than a shirt. Brunamonti gives the charge: "Black V, great reaction to aim for the scudetto"

There is a thread, not even too thin, that ties Alexander Pajola, Captain Future and Roberto Brunamonti. On Sunday the fans of the Virtus they dedicated a banner to the director from Ancona. More than thirty years ago, an anonymous but absolutely black and white hand unscrewed the sign 'Piazza Manfredi Azzarita, captain and partisan' to place in its place a 'Piazza Roberto Brunamonti, captain Virtus'. And it is about Virtus that we speak with Roberto Brunamonti, now responsible for the women's Academy project that involves under 15s and 16s from Italy.

Roberto, how are you? "Pretty good. Thanks." And Virtus? "Coming off a nice win."

She was the director of a Virtus of the past. Today, in that role, there is Pajola. "I'm happy. It's an aspect that fills me with pride".

Do you see something of yourself in Pajola? "No, it's a game that doesn't work. They are two different eras. And each has its own characteristics. However...".

Say. "I think there is one thing in common."

Which one? "The attachment to the shirt. To the black and white colors. Alessandro started with that shirt, he grew up with those colors. You can see how much he is tied to Virtus. For me it was the same."

In reality, perhaps, there is another point of contact. "Would it be?".

She became captain of the national team, even before being one in Virtus. The same could happen to Pajo. "As far as I'm concerned, it was 1988, I think. More than history (laughs), maybe prehistory. However, it's true. It could happen again. I followed Pajola from his early days in the national team. In fact, I accompanied his debut".

She must be given credit for always believing in Pajola. "I didn't discover anything. It was obvious that he had what it takes to become an important player."

In Virtus, meanwhile, the captain is Belinelli. "Who is almost 39 years old. But a class above all. Against Milan he made himself seen and heard".

Tell the truth. "I always tell it."

He tried to bring Marco to Rome. “Yes. Even if it’s a past story. I had gone to Rome, Virtus had been expelled. We spoke with Marco and his entourage".

But hadn't Savic and Fortitudo – late summer 2003 – already done everything? "There was interest on his part. In the end he made the best choice. And started a wonderful career".

Less happy note, perhaps, Holiday. "I would wait to give definitive judgments".

Why so much caution? "Because someone who didn't have values, talent and a head couldn't have lasted so long in the NBA. He's struggling, that's clear for everyone to see. He was stuck, he arrived in a context with some problems. But he's an intelligent guy. He put himself at the service of the group. I think he can lend a hand."

What should we expect from this Virtus? "I hope that the ownership, namely Zanetti, can move forward. Guaranteeing what he has done in all these last years. Which in Virtus means investments, entertainment, results".

But can Virtus win the championship? "I hope, as has happened in recent years, that they can go all the way. Then, when you're in the final, the series can change for a little while. One episode is enough to change a season".

Milan? "It's there, strong. With its group. And with three consecutive championships. But in the meantime Virtus, in the championship, has taken a 2-0 lead".

Optimistic? "The match at the Segafredo Arena, on Sunday, was not easy. Because Virtus was coming from some defeats. Because maybe there was also the worry linked to the Italian Cup. Virtus brought home the result. They did it well, with personality. Putting pride, determination. Sense of belonging on the field".

So what? "I hope it can happen again and continue like this. I said that Pajola, perhaps, resembles me in his attachment to the shirt. Even though I no longer live in Bologna, I haven't forgotten that shirt and those colors."

Those colors, after all, are his story. As that fake sign (today it would be called 'fake') reminded us: Piazza Roberto Brunamonti, captain of the black and whites. The sign is no longer there. But the bond has remained. And if possible it is even stronger.