Gianluca Della Rosa reflects on the relegation and the future of Pistoia Basket

Analysis, truth and some background. It's a Gianluca DellaRosa all-round what he speaks to the microphones of Tv Prato during the broadcast 'White and Red'. From tears for the relegation to what the future will be, going through some facts that have left their mark. "I don't know how you start again after a defeat like that, to be honest – says Della Rosa –. The disappointment is still fresh. We were quite mentally prepared for relegation after a disastrous season. I promised myself not to cry because I'm not the type to make these scenes, but when the coach called me to the bench with Saccaggi I exploded. When we returned to the locker room there was a deathly silence. Not even I, Gabri and Lore who have been here for a long time were able to speak because the pain and disappointment were really great. What we went through during the season is now known and we really did our best on the field but unfortunately it wasn't enough. Regardless of everything, we go on the field and so this relegation weighs heavily on us. I really want to apologize to all the fans for this result but we are Pistoia and we will find a way to get back up".

To tell the truth, Gianluca Della Rosa had always had some doubts, you could see that the red and white captain was not at peace from the beginning. "I don't want to do what he says 'I told you so' - continues Della Rosa - also because if Saccaggi and I chose to stay and Benetti to return it is because we had received some reassurances but honestly when Ron Rowan showed up at PalaCarrara last year the first few times he didn't make a great impression on me because he didn't say hello to anyone. Everything that happened in the summer is something unique: thinking of creating a team without a coach and without consulting the sports director is something that had never been seen before. From then on we witnessed one disaster after another. I don't want to name names but this year several people have disappointed me and honestly I didn't expect it from any of them. But that's okay, it's part of life and sport".

Disasters that reached one of their lowest points with the events that occurred in Cremona. "When we arrived at the PalaRadi in Cremona the situation was already out of control - says Della Rosa -. I think the first episode that alarmed us was in Rome in the friendly with Scafati where things happened that I won't go into here but that in any other club would not have been accepted and would not have gone unnoticed". And instead everything went unnoticed and the epilogue could only be a partially announced relegation.

But now it's time to think about the future and start again. "For the moment, no one has told us anything - says Della Rosa - I heard the things I know on Sunday in the press conference. President Joe David spoke and seems to have excellent intentions and a desire to stay here to face the A2 championship, but I don't know anything more. I have so much respect and trust in Sambugaro that if he says certain things I can only trust him one hundred percent. I know that since he is a basketball man who has done a great job in recent years, he will certainly have a lot of market but at the moment he is still with us as he has been all year because he really hasn't abandoned us for a moment from July to today. As far as I'm concerned, my first goal is to understand what is happening in Pistoia and who will continue on this path. In the summer I will then speak with my agent and with whoever will be here in the company, but before making decisions it will be important for me to also know Sambugaro's future".

Maurizio Innocenti