Pisa 1-4 Pro Vercelli
I want to post in Italian. I really do.
But Michel Thomas is still telling me to apologise and to ask for things that way. Or the same. Or not like that.
Where is the CD that makes me want to scream Forza or Bellissima or take that Pisa, you b’stards? No offence Pisa. You have a lovely tower – just a poor football team.
Anyway – there are times when this site allows me to try and work on my language development skills. Where I can say, happily: Quatro gol. La sorpendente Pro Vercelli. Possiamo ancora sognare. Forza il leoni.
But then there are times when all I want to do is revert back to English. To revert back to my comfort zone and say: What a game. What a thrashing. Four is clearly Pro Vercelli’s lucky number, as that’s now three games (Pisa, Sorrento and Avellino) that have shown what the side can do after an underwhelming display in the previous week.
Or there are times when I want to show concern that Simone Malatesta sat out the previous game – a fear I have, that should he miss too many it will derail such an impressive season to date – but then someone else steps up. Another lion roars – a new roar – the roar of a recent recruit; Marco Martini. He’s started two games. He’s scored two goals. He is the Martini man.
Any time, any place, any goal.
I keep scratching at the language. I keep walking the dog, playing the same CDs, wishing there was a way it would stick. That we would move quickly beyond “vorrei comprare la stessa cosa”. Oh, departed Mr Thomas – why didn’t you bring out a calcio edition. Full of clichés, insults and celebratory overtures – the language I want. Beyond knowing “alla spina“means on tap.
Apologising, buying, sharing, costing – these may be all well and good when I am buying caffe in a piazza with a duomo dominating the skyline – but what good are they to me when the negative, defeatist football fan wants to look ahead to Sunday’s game – against the witches of Benevento – where a win would push PRO five points clear in the race for a play-off spot. Where a defeat could see them drop out for the first time in months.
Oh mio dio. Why can’t I find the words?
I knew I needed to learn in a class. To have a teacher pushing me on. Private learning is no good for a procrastinator like me. No good when you have to concentrate and your mind is agog with other thoughts. Mi dispiace. It is always mi dispiace.
Forza Pro. With or without your language – I am here, right behind you.
