“I’ve matured, I feel ready”: Emilio Giaccone’s big chance at Unión | OneFootball

At 21, Emilio Giaccone is enjoying a breakthrough moment at Unión. Joaquín Mosqueira’s injury opened the door for him to become a starter, and the youngster has responded with performances that show he is ready for the First Division. Speaking with Unión Play, the midfielder reflected on this great personal moment. “I’d been waiting for this for a long time. I got to make my debut and then I didn’t get the minutes I was hoping for, but now it’s coming at a time of growth when I feel ready,” the midfielder admitted.

Regarding the roles assigned to him by the head coach, Giaccone explained the tactical idea he shares with his midfield partner: “Madelón asks me to stay organized and play simple. Then, without the ball, to be aggressive and occupy spaces well.” As for the step up in level, he admitted that what struck him most was the mental speed required in the top flight: “I was surprised by the technique and quality that’s out there. The ball isn’t given away as much, and you have to be patient to find the right moment. You have to see things beforehand.”

His story began far from Santa Fe, in San Martín de las Escobas, where he was spotted by Marcelo Aranda during a tryout in 2016. From there, he made his way through the youth ranks, spent time with the Reserve team, made his first-team debut, and even wore the Argentina Under-20 national team shirt, also gaining experience with the senior national team. Despite his potential, the youngster keeps his feet on the ground. Every time he returns to his hometown, kids come up to him to ask what top-level football is like, and he shares his own experience with them: “Distance or living in a small town isn’t an obstacle. I tell them to come, to try, and to never stop chasing their dream.” After Maizon’s departure and the opportunity that opened up for Fagioli, Giaccone showed that his emergence in Madelón’s team is no passing thing and is now aiming to establish himself for good.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.