INTERVIEW Liberato Cacace: "Ik zit nog niet aan 100%" https://t.co/nQULBEtwvX #stvgnk @stvv
— voetbalbelgie (@voetbalbelgie) November 7, 2020
INTERVIEW Liberato Cacace: “I'm not at 100% yet”
STVV'er Cacace proud of 'corona-free' New Zealand
At the end of August, Liberato Cacaca boarded the plane. From New Zealand to Belgium, in a nutshell 8,775 km. His first adventure as a professional football player in another country. Not evident in the full corona crisis. Empty stadiums, little to do besides football, you name it. The 20-year-old left winger doesn't care. He wants to make a name. That adventure has already started well.
Cacace played with Wellington Phoenix in the Australian A-League. STVV took him in as left back, but the game system has since changed. The physically strong New Zealander may mop the left flank. A player who easily makes it to the back line.
Also a player who can take a beating. In STVV-Standard blood ran from his face after a collision with Selim Amallah. Cacace was taken care of and eagerly continued playing football.
“It is going well, I am satisfied”, Liberato Cacace kicked in an open door. “But I am not yet at 100% of my ability. I hope to be able to show that 'little bit extra' as soon as possible. Since I am higher in the field than at Wellington Phoenix, that also requires assists and goals. ”
You got a lot of scolding against Standard from Pol Garcia, for letting you stand your ground in the end and pulling forward.
“And rightly so (laughs). That is a working point: choosing the right moments. If you are ahead, you must first save the organization. In this competition you can quickly be punished for that as a team. The Belgian first division is not only physically strong. It is also very tactical. The difference with football in Australia and New Zealand is quite big. The pace is much faster here. ”
The derby between STVV and Racing Genk is on the agenda on Saturday. Are you aware of the tension between both clubs and fans?
"Definitely. This could be another big moment for the club. We are ready. If we continue on the impetus against Standard, we should be able to bring this match to a successful conclusion. With that organization and commitment we can win every match. ”
“Although it will be looking forward. Racing Genk has a strong team. The sudden departure of their trainer (Jess Thorup, ed.) Does not change that. It is a team with a lot of power and speed. It is a pity that there are no fans in the stadium, that would give that derby some more enthusiasm. But it also lives in the two player groups, be sure of that. ”
On the left flank you will meet Junya Ito and Joakim Maehle. A new challenge?
“It will be a fun 'battle'. They are not just one of the strongholds of Racing Genk. I see it as a great challenge to win the battle on that flank. But of course I can't do that alone, football is a team sport. ”
Corona in Belgium and New Zealand
Some fans were allowed in the stadiums. Today Belgium is back in a lockdown. How hard is that for you?
“Without those conditions, I would train, rest, shop and spend a lot of time in the gym at Stayen. STVV gave me the opportunity to play football in a great competition in Europe, and I want to seize that opportunity to the full. Actually, my life doesn't look very different now. Fitness is not allowed right now. "
“Corona is no laughing matter. I don't walk around with fear, I just try to do everything I can to stay healthy. Washing hands, keeping your distance, limiting contacts, that's just part of the deal now. A large number of professional football players tested positive. Some players had to deal with less pleasant symptoms. Hopefully I can escape all that. ”
“I'm just trying to do some other things now. That's how I started with yoga. That is good for your body and mind. Staying healthy is the message. So follow the rules! It's good for yourself and for other people. ”
Thousands of infected people every day, full hospitals, thousands of deaths in Belgium. Then you should be proud of your country, which is again corona-free?
"Absolutely! There are two to three diagnosed infections per day. New Zealand can be proud of that. When the corona virus hit, they reacted quickly. That approach pays off. ”
“You cannot compare the situation with Belgium. This country is landlocked in Europe. As an island, New Zealand can more easily control the influx of people. Whoever flies to New Zealand or arrives by boat must first be quarantined. ”
Proud of your country. How proud are your parents of the road you are traveling ?
“They try to follow it as closely as possible. We are in daily contact, even if that is not always easy due to the time difference. If it is day over there, it is night here. But it works. Also because I feel good about myself here. STVV is a good choice. I can grow further at this club. ”
STVV'er Cacace proud of 'corona-free' New Zealand
At the end of August, Liberato Cacaca boarded the plane. From New Zealand to Belgium, in a nutshell 8,775 km. His first adventure as a professional football player in another country. Not evident in the full corona crisis. Empty stadiums, little to do besides football, you name it. The 20-year-old left winger doesn't care. He wants to make a name. That adventure has already started well.
Cacace played with Wellington Phoenix in the Australian A-League. STVV took him in as left back, but the game system has since changed. The physically strong New Zealander may mop the left flank. A player who easily makes it to the back line.
Also a player who can take a beating. In STVV-Standard blood ran from his face after a collision with Selim Amallah. Cacace was taken care of and eagerly continued playing football.
“It is going well, I am satisfied”, Liberato Cacace kicked in an open door. “But I am not yet at 100% of my ability. I hope to be able to show that 'little bit extra' as soon as possible. Since I am higher in the field than at Wellington Phoenix, that also requires assists and goals. ”
You got a lot of scolding against Standard from Pol Garcia, for letting you stand your ground in the end and pulling forward.
“And rightly so (laughs). That is a working point: choosing the right moments. If you are ahead, you must first save the organization. In this competition you can quickly be punished for that as a team. The Belgian first division is not only physically strong. It is also very tactical. The difference with football in Australia and New Zealand is quite big. The pace is much faster here. ”
The derby between STVV and Racing Genk is on the agenda on Saturday. Are you aware of the tension between both clubs and fans?
"Definitely. This could be another big moment for the club. We are ready. If we continue on the impetus against Standard, we should be able to bring this match to a successful conclusion. With that organization and commitment we can win every match. ”
“Although it will be looking forward. Racing Genk has a strong team. The sudden departure of their trainer (Jess Thorup, ed.) Does not change that. It is a team with a lot of power and speed. It is a pity that there are no fans in the stadium, that would give that derby some more enthusiasm. But it also lives in the two player groups, be sure of that. ”
On the left flank you will meet Junya Ito and Joakim Maehle. A new challenge?
“It will be a fun 'battle'. They are not just one of the strongholds of Racing Genk. I see it as a great challenge to win the battle on that flank. But of course I can't do that alone, football is a team sport. ”
Corona in Belgium and New Zealand
Some fans were allowed in the stadiums. Today Belgium is back in a lockdown. How hard is that for you?
“Without those conditions, I would train, rest, shop and spend a lot of time in the gym at Stayen. STVV gave me the opportunity to play football in a great competition in Europe, and I want to seize that opportunity to the full. Actually, my life doesn't look very different now. Fitness is not allowed right now. "
“Corona is no laughing matter. I don't walk around with fear, I just try to do everything I can to stay healthy. Washing hands, keeping your distance, limiting contacts, that's just part of the deal now. A large number of professional football players tested positive. Some players had to deal with less pleasant symptoms. Hopefully I can escape all that. ”
“I'm just trying to do some other things now. That's how I started with yoga. That is good for your body and mind. Staying healthy is the message. So follow the rules! It's good for yourself and for other people. ”
Thousands of infected people every day, full hospitals, thousands of deaths in Belgium. Then you should be proud of your country, which is again corona-free?
"Absolutely! There are two to three diagnosed infections per day. New Zealand can be proud of that. When the corona virus hit, they reacted quickly. That approach pays off. ”
“You cannot compare the situation with Belgium. This country is landlocked in Europe. As an island, New Zealand can more easily control the influx of people. Whoever flies to New Zealand or arrives by boat must first be quarantined. ”
Proud of your country. How proud are your parents of the road you are traveling ?
“They try to follow it as closely as possible. We are in daily contact, even if that is not always easy due to the time difference. If it is day over there, it is night here. But it works. Also because I feel good about myself here. STVV is a good choice. I can grow further at this club. ”