Francesco Farioli praises Barcelona and Ajax for sharing his football philosophy, emphasizing their unique DNA. Meanwhile, Barcelona is preparing for the return of a key player, targeting an upcoming match for his comeback.
Francesco Farioli: “Only two clubs have our DNA: Barça and Ajax”
Francesco Farioli, the trailblazing football coach, is making waves as he readies to take charge of Ajax in the Europa League. At just 35, Farioli has already established himself in the football world, having previously impressed at Nice and now stepping into the prestigious legacy of Ajax.
Looking back on his distinctive path, Farioli opened up to AS about how his experience as a goalkeeping coach has shaped his playing philosophy. “It affects a lot, of course,” he explained. “The general approach and understanding of the game, but also specific areas: biomechanics, movements, etc. The phrase ‘the goalkeeper is just another player’ has always been present in my mind and has greatly impacted how I see football today.”
Farioli’s academic background in philosophy greatly influences his coaching approach. “What I obtained from my university studies is a way of thinking, of constantly questioning things,” he said. This mindset allows him to blend experiences from various fields to create innovative football strategies.
Farioli’s journey to prominence started with an article he wrote analyzing Foggia’s tactics while he was coaching at Lucchese. “I thought that Foggia deserved to be analyzed because they were doing very good things,” he recalled. This article eventually sparked a conversation with the well-known coach Roberto De Zerbi, marking the start of his coaching career.
When talking about his influences, Farioli referred to Pep Guardiola as “the master of modern football” while also acknowledging Carlo Ancelotti as somewhat underrated. “Guardiola has a great impact on me and all coaches around the world,” he stated. “But Ancelotti is evolving with football; he’s humble and always gives credit to his players.”
As he steps into his role at Ajax, Farioli highlighted the club’s rich playing philosophy. “Only two clubs have maintained this type of DNA: Barcelona and Ajax,” he remarked. “The legacy of Cruyff is there. It’s a great privilege for me to work in a club with this history.”
Farioli believes technology has had a major impact on the evolution of football. “One of the reasons football has changed so much in recent years is related to how many people are involved in studying the game,” he explained. “Technology allows us to objectify ideas and get immediate feedback.”
He views football as cyclical, comparing it to Hegel’s concept of thesis, antithesis, and synthesis. “The new synthesis is what we have today; there will always be something that remains constant while other aspects evolve,” he noted.
Farioli shared his enthusiasm for high pressing as part of his tactical approach: “We love putting pressure on the opponent’s half. We were one of the teams in Europe with the most goals initiated in the opposing half.” He also recognized that, while Ajax has a strong tradition of possession-based football, flexibility is key when facing different opponents.
Farioli’s focus on player development is clear in his coaching philosophy. “The goal is to help them become better players and better human beings,” he stated, emphasizing his commitment to fostering individual growth within a team-oriented structure.
Barcelona Eye Match for Key Player’s Return from Injury
It has been more than four months since Ronald Araujo sustained a severe hamstring tear while playing for Uruguay at the Copa America. Since then, he has been recovering, and his comeback is approaching soon.
On Friday, Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick announced that Araujo is expected to begin training with the team later this weekend, following Saturday’s trip to Celta Vigo. However, according to Diario AS, he will need at least 6-8 sessions to regain full fitness, and only then will a potential inclusion in the matchday squad be evaluated.
As a result, Barcelona have targeted their match against Mallorca on December 3rd as a possible return date for Araujo, though they may opt to wait until the fixture against Real Betis four days later.
Barcelona have managed well in Araujo’s absence, thanks to the strong performances of Inigo Martinez and Pau Cubarsi. However, his return will certainly be a welcome boost for the team.
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