Eccellenza soccer, Senator De Vincenzi plays the charge: “The group is close-knit, we want to do well”.

When he’s not dribbling opponents like skittles, he’s surfing around the world: for five seasons now, Andrea De Vincenzi has been the bomber of Calcio Eccellenza, a goal machine capable of setting category records. Given his experience, his role in the locker room is that of a senator, and his words prove it. He told us about the preparation for the league debut, the peculiarities of the Luiss model and the seasonal objectives of the team, now coached by Guglielmo Stendardo, his former teammate on the field.

Andrea, can you tell us a little bit about your Dual Career at Luiss?

I graduated in Economics and Management and immediately afterwards I started the Master in Sport Management. I am about to end this wonderful academic experience and I hope to start working soon. I’d like to stay in the world of sports in the future, we’ll see what paths open up for me.

Moving on to the present and the field, how was the start of the season?

The training camp helped us to get to know the new members better, we got together as a group and we got on well right away. The season’s debut was excellent: we won 3-1 against Casal Barriera, while we had some difficulties in the match against Tivoli, a team better equipped than us, one of the best in Lazio’s Eccellenza. Despite this, we came close to qualifying. Then, due to a bit of inexperience, we weren’t careful in some situations and they won. A defeat that, however, leaves us with good feelings in view of the league debut against Polisportiva Sant’Angelo Romano.

Speaking of the championship, what are your goals?

It’s hard to make predictions: it will be a particular championship, with 16 teams and 30 games. Six will be relegated, three directly and three through the playout, in which the last six in the standings will participate. For sure, we want to do well so as not to risk anything. We’ll give our best to defend our category.

Earlier you mentioned the new players: do you think the value of the roster has improved?

I would say yes, we have taken good players and at a technical level we have reinforced all departments. Most importantly, the new players are all good guys, we immediately got along well together. The retreat has definitely speeded up the process of integration.

There is also something new on the bench: from this year the coach is Guglielmo Stendardo, your teammate for many years. How is Willy as a coach?

He asks for a lot of commitment and we are training hard. Compared to the past, we now play more with the ball on the ground and we have a lot of possession. He immediately made a good impression on me, it’s a positive change for the team. We came from complicated seasons, the coach with his new ideas is helping us a lot.

In light of your experience, what differentiates Luiss from other teams?

Certainly the values that we transmit and that we always bring to the field. For example, putting the team before everything else, respecting the coach and managers, helping each other. Group cohesion is fundamental. I’m happy that the leaders have remained and that they can teach the newcomers what it means to play for Luiss.

And compared to other universities, what are the peculiarities of the University?

Luiss is a big family, it welcomes you and follows you step by step throughout your academic and sports growth. Right from the start, I was amazed by the environment. I advise all young people who want to study and play sports to approach the Luiss model.

Coming back to you, what are your hobbies off the field?

Besides soccer, my big passion is surfing. I always plan my vacations to go in search of the waves. The most beautiful places I’ve visited with this goal are Bali, Indonesia, Praia do Tonel, Portugal, Hossegor in France. Sometimes I wake up at dawn and go surfing before university classes.

We thank Andrea De Vincenzi and wish him the best of luck for the season.