Andrea Orlandi: Rising at Swansea with Roberto and Rodgers

The Big Interview with Graham Hunter

Last season, our Socios at patreon.com/grahamhunter got an exclusive interview with Andrea Orlandi. For the first time, here’s the full episode.

In part two we hear about how Andrea loved his time at Alavés. They couldn’t get promoted until a wonderful, crazy Ukrainian-American businessman Dmitry Piterman bought the club. There followed a Copa del Rey semi-final against Zaragotha.

Then one day Jordi Cruyff telephoned and sold Andrea the idea of playing for Roberto Martínez at Swansea. Thus began a love affair with English (and Welsh!) football. Unfortunately, the Swans were in League One at the time, and Andrea endured a tough introduction to life in Blighty – tough tackles, a lack of facilities and a bad injury – and received no special treatment from his boss. But Martínez got them into the Championship and Brendan Rodgers took over to finish the job, attaining Premier League football after a thrilling 4-2 play-off final win against Reading. Rodgers wept when he told Andrea that he would have to sit that game out in the stands.

After one minute speaking with Gus Poyet Andrea wanted to sign for Brighton. Being let go due to his injury record was a huge blow. He still adores that club.

Enjoy

Graham

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