Molinaro made 125 competitive appearances for VfB between 2010 and 2014, and developed into a senior Italy international during that time. Now the 41-year-old, who also played for Juventus, is technical director at Serie A club Venezia FC, giving him a unique insight into the Italian game from both a player’s and official’s perspective.
Reason enough to chat to him ahead of VfB’s next UEFA Champions League outing in Turin, and to hear his memories of his time in Stuttgart.
Cristian, between 2010 and 2014 you played 125 times for VfB Stuttgart. What do you remember from your time in the Bundesliga?
Cristian Molinaro: “My first and clearest memory is of my first year, from January 2010 to December that year. We played in the Champions League, and the second half of the Bundesliga season was one of the best ever in VfB’s history. We qualified for the Europa League as a result. I was able to achieve many personal objectives: I was among the best left-backs in the Bundesliga and also became a starter in the Italian national team. Those were some unbelievable experiences and successes.”
VfB played some fantastic football last season and managed to finish as runners-up in the Bundesliga and secure Champions League qualification. How do people view VfB in Italy?
Molinaro: “VfB are well known. The 1989 UEFA Cup final between VfB and Napoli will never be forgotten in Italy [Napoli lifted the trophy after a 2-1 win in the first leg, and a 3-3 draw in the return fixture]. On top of that, the football community is aware of just how good VfB’s youth academy is – the number of young players who have broken through as professionals in Stuttgart is truly impressive. For example, Philipp Lahm, Mario Gomez, Sami Khedira, Antonio Rüdiger and Timo Werner, among others. Aleksandr Hleb also made the step up at VfB. I’ll always be a fan of the club.”
The match on Tuesday evening in Turin will be a highlight for VfB. Having played there yourself, what makes Juventus so special?
Molinaro: “Simply put, as a club Juventus developed a winning mentality over the years. It’s a great club.”
What are the team’s strengths at the moment?
Molinaro: “It’s important to know that the team have a new coach and a new playing style. Juve play in a very dynamic, very active way right now. Furthermore, there’s a focus on homegrown youngsters who have grown up at the club. With that in mind, a reserve team was created in which these players can mature alongside young, foreign players.”