The night Edoardo Motta’s exceptional performance, including saving four penalties, propelled Lazio to the Coppa Italia final against Inter was a moment of immense pride for Tiziano Spartera. Spartera, who runs the ASD Soccer Spartera academy in Casale Monferrato, was the first to recognize the potential of a shy ten-year-old boy and guided him towards a professional football career.
Speaking exclusively to Tuttomercatoweb after Motta’s remarkable display in Bergamo, which featured a stunning save from Scamacca and his four consecutive penalty stops, Spartera shared his emotions. “I was on the phone with his father,” Spartera revealed. “He is obviously very happy. We remembered the day he brought Edoardo to my academy. He was ten and a half, a shy boy. He has come a long way and there is still so much more ahead of him.”
The significance of witnessing his former pupil shine on such a grand stage was deeply felt. “There were constant shivers last night. I will tell the truth, I was moved,” Spartera admitted. “To save four penalties in a row and take Lazio to the Coppa Italia final is an indescribable source of pride.”
Spartera painted a vivid picture of the young Motta, highlighting his exceptional mental focus, dedication surpassing his peers, and the technical foundations that have since flourished at the professional level. “He worked intensively with us and was already mentally well-centred,” he recalled. “He had a clear objective and trained harder than the others. He studied and worked without ever complaining.” The coach also addressed Motta’s initial shyness. “Because he was timid, he was afraid to come off his line, he would cling to the goal. I forced him to talk to his defenders, to organise them. I gave him courage and calmness.”
While Novara initially had priority due to the academy’s affiliation, they ultimately did not pursue signing Motta, a decision Spartera suggested they might now regret. Juventus swiftly moved to integrate Motta into their development system, followed by stints at Reggiana and ultimately Lazio, where an injury to Provedel unexpectedly fast-tracked him into the spotlight.
Addressing the Italian football landscape’s hesitation to trust young goalkeepers, Spartera was direct. “In Italy we struggle to give faith to young players, to accept their mistakes,” he stated. “In other countries, at 23 they already have the experience to play for the national team. You need to believe in youngsters and not punish them at the first error.” He expressed unwavering confidence in Motta’s international prospects: “Certainly his future is bright, definitely as a future international.”
When asked which goalkeeper the young Motta reminded him of, Spartera’s answer was immediate: “Francesco Toldo, a commanding presence, imposing in stature.” His sole piece of technical advice for Motta’s continued development was: “Physically he needs to build himself up a little more.”
English Translation:
The night Edoardo Motta saved four penalties to send Lazio to the Coppa Italia final against Inter was watched with particular pride by a man from a small academy in Casale Monferrato, the coach who first spotted a shy ten-year-old boy and helped set him on the path to professional football.
Tiziano Spartera, who runs the ASD Soccer Spartera academy where Motta first developed, spoke exclusively to Tuttomercatoweb in the aftermath of his former pupil’s extraordinary night in Bergamo, an evening that included a stunning save from Scamacca and four consecutive penalty stops.
“I was on the phone with his father,” Spartera said. “He is obviously very happy. We remembered the day he brought Edoardo to my academy. He was ten and a half, a shy boy. He has come a long way and there is still so much more ahead of him.”
The emotion of watching his former pupil perform on such a stage clearly ran deep.
“There were constant shivers last night. I will tell the truth, I was moved,” Spartera said. “To save four penalties in a row and take Lazio to the Coppa Italia final is an indescribable source of pride.”
Spartera painted a vivid picture of the young Motta, mentally focused beyond his years, more dedicated than his peers, and already exhibiting the technical foundations that have since blossomed at professional level.
“He worked intensively with us and was already mentally well-centred,” he recalled.
“He had a clear objective and trained harder than the others. He studied and worked without ever complaining.” The one challenge was his natural shyness. “Because he was timid, he was afraid to come off his line, he would cling to the goal. I forced him to talk to his defenders, to organise them. I gave him courage and calmness.”
Novara had first priority on the youngster given the academy’s affiliation, but ultimately did not move to sign him, a decision Spartera suggested they now regret.
Juventus wasted no time, taking Motta through their development system before spells at Reggiana and ultimately Lazio, where Provedel’s injury thrust him into the spotlight far sooner than many anticipated.
On the broader question of Italian football’s reluctance to trust young goalkeepers, Spartera was pointed.
“In Italy we struggle to give faith to young players, to accept their mistakes,” he said. “In other countries, at 23 they already have the experience to play for the national team. You need to believe in youngsters and not punish them at the first error.” He was equally clear about Motta’s international future. “Certainly his future is bright, definitely as a future international.”
Asked which goalkeeper the young Motta reminded him of, Spartera did not hesitate. “Francesco Toldo, a commanding presence, imposing in stature.” His only technical note for the road ahead? “Physically he needs to build himself up a little more.”
