The night Edoardo Motta made four penalty saves to propel Lazio to the Coppa Italia final against Inter was a moment of profound pride for Tiziano Spartera, the coach who first discovered a timid ten-year-old and set him on his professional football journey. Spartera, who runs the ASD Soccer Spartera academy where Motta honed his skills, spoke exclusively to Tuttomercatoweb after his former protégé’s remarkable performance in Bergamo, which included a stunning save from Scamacca and four consecutive penalty stops.
“I was on the phone with his father,” Spartera shared. “He is, of course, overjoyed. We reminisced about 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 emotional impact of witnessing his former pupil shine on such a grand stage was palpable.
“I had goosebumps all night. To be honest, I was moved,” Spartera admitted. “Saving four penalties in a row and leading Lazio to the Coppa Italia final is an indescribable source of pride.”
Spartera: ‘Motta Reminds Me of Toldo’
Spartera vividly described the young Motta as being mentally focused beyond his years, more dedicated than his peers, and already possessing the technical foundation that has 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 only challenge was his inherent 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 organize them. I gave him courage and calmness.”
While Novara had the first option on the youngster due to the academy’s affiliation, they ultimately did not sign him – a decision Spartera believes they now regret. Juventus moved quickly, nurturing Motta through their development system before spells at Reggiana and eventually Lazio, where an injury to Provedel saw him thrust into the spotlight much sooner than anticipated.
Addressing Italy’s general reluctance to trust young goalkeepers, Spartera was forthright. “In Italy, we struggle to place faith in 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 was equally clear about 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 response was immediate: “Francesco Toldo, a commanding presence, imposing in stature.” His sole piece of technical advice for Motta’s continued development? “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: ‘Motta Reminds Me of Toldo’
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.”