The sky of the Allianz Milano is still painted with blue. Libero Damiano Catania is a new player available to coach Roberto Piazza for the 2023/2024 season. Born in Sicily, yes precisely in Catania, on March 28th 22 years ago, Damiano Catania has for some years been one of the major national and international talents in the fundamentals of defense and reception. Raised in the thriving nursery of Castellana Grotte, which saw him make his debut at a very young age first in B2 and then in A2, he then played in the cadet series in Leverano, Santa Croce and Cuneo, before making his debut in the top Italian championship on the Piacenza and Cisterna side. For him it is therefore the third shirt change in as many Superlega seasons. He already has an under 19 and an under 21 World Cup on his bulletin board, as well as an under 22 European gold and an under 20 European silver. Chosen by the blue coach Ferdinando De Giorgi in the extended squad involved in the VNL, Damiano has been involved in a mini collegiate since yesterday in Cavalese under the orders of Massimo Caponeri, Vincenzo Fanizza (also coach of the U22 national team) and Luca Leoni. Here is his first interview as an Allianz Milano player.
First of all, welcome Damiano, you are a top player in reception and defense, one of the free blues of the future and you have chosen Milan. Despite your very young age you have already toured some of the great squares of Italian volleyball, from Castellana to Santa Croce, then Cuneo, Piacenza, Cisterna, now a new step in the metropolis, what are your expectations?
“For me it is a source of great pride to be able to express myself in Milan, one of the most important sports squares in Italy. My expectations are very high, the next championship we will be involved in many competitions and therefore my ambition will be to be able to aim high in each of the tournaments, the championship and the two cups, having such great players alongside me.”
In the Allianz Milano sextet you find Paolo Porro with whom you did a lot of youth national team and now the first part of the adventure for VNL, a certain Dirlic also arrived from Cisterna with you. What will you give to immediately create a good group in the new team?
“Above all, I immediately want to start working hard in the gym. Goals are all built together, growing as a group. I meet Paolo (we’ve been together every summer for 6 years now) and also my opposite Dirlic. I can’t wait to get to know all the other members of the squad well. I am young and I will have a lot to learn from coach Piazza and also from them”.
