Perspective but Porrini’s glad it’s back
“It was unthinkable what happened to him, and heart-breaking that so many lost their lives here,” said Porrini. “Up until about a month ago, I thought that resuming playing football would have been a mistake.
“We were still in an emergency, and there were so many deaths every day that, for me, just thinking about playing was madness.
“Fortunately, the situation has now changed and I believe that – following the health protocols and everyone scrupulously following the guidelines, it is also right to try to start again.
“Obviously, this applies to every activity, not just football. So, of course, the resumption of competitive activity brings with it many unknowns.
“I have been a professional footballer, so I know what it will mean to have stayed still for a long time. There have never been three months of lockdown, so it will be new for everyone.” Now assistant manager of Albania,
Porrini won two Serie A titles with Juventus before moving to Ibrox ,and he believes his former club have the edge in the chase for the 2019-20 Serie A.
“I think in these circumstances, quality is going to count,” he said. “Usually the teams who are less talented can make up for it through their competitiveness.
“But if no one is at their peak condition, then the players who are technically superior should have a huge advantage.
“Even the allowance of five substitutes benefits the strongest teams. “This is why I think Juventus (who lead Lazio by a point at the top) have the best chance to win because they have the strongest group. “Before they stopped the season, I believed Lazio could finish top because they seemed so focused on the target.
“Now, after the long break, I think it will be too much for them.
“Inter (nine points behind Juventus) are not completely out of it, but they would be doing well just to be the best of this last section of the season.”
Porrini stresses the resumption is far from ideal.
“However it ends, it is clear that it will not be a normal championship,” he said.
“I think the truth is we are returning to the field to try to finish Serie A only for economic reasons, related to sponsorships and television rights. “Without the crowds, for me even the most-important matches seem like friendlies because the great emotion generated by the game is missing. “I’m sure the players themselves would agree.
“It is the support from the stands which gives you the strength to chase your opponent, and risk a tackle, at a stage when you are struggling to even walk.”