At the Hellas Verona headquarters, Giambattista Pastorello dragged his weary body into the club's modest offices. From a distance, he could hear the faint echo of a commentator's ecstatic shout—a long, drawn-out cry that felt almost surreal amidst Verona's dire situation.
His shoulders sagged under the weight of rejection after rejection. The sponsors, the investors, even the local businesses—none were willing to back a club teetering on the edge of relegation, financially and competitively. Pastorello had exhausted every avenue, and as he stepped through the door, that lingering cry of excitement felt like a cruel taunt.
The scene inside the office caught him off guard. Staff members, huddled around an old television set, erupted into joyous cheers. Some hugged, others pumped their fists in celebration.
"What is going on here?" Pastorello barked, his frustration boiling over.
The sudden outburst startled the staff. They froze, turning to face their irate president, their celebratory smiles fading into uncertainty.
"The club is on the verge of collapse, and you're celebrating? Do you not care about Hellas Verona? About its history, its legacy? How can you stand there and cheer while this club sinks further into the abyss?"
The room fell silent. For a moment, no one spoke.
Then, a voice broke the tension. It was Luigi Sartor, the interim coach of Verona's second team, who had just rushed into the room.
"President Pastorello, have you seen the game?" Sartor panted, visibly excited.
Pastorello frowned. "What game?"
Sartor pointed at the television. "The first team, sir. They're playing away at Triestina. And they've just scored!"
Pastorello blinked, momentarily stunned. "We're leading?"
"Yes! Cassani scored! A beautiful strike assisted by Ferrante. We're ahead, 1–0!"
For a moment, the weight on Pastorello's shoulders seemed to lift. He stumbled backward, dropping into an old leather chair, his face a mix of disbelief and cautious hope.
"Cassani scored…" he murmured, as if saying it aloud might make it more real.
The sound of the commentator's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
"Oh, my goodness! What a goal! Verona have doubled their lead!"
Pastorello's heart leapt into his throat. He froze, barely daring to move as the commentator continued.
"Michael Cassani again! He latches onto a perfectly placed ball from Ferrante and fires a rocket from the edge of the box! 2–0 Verona! What a performance from Aymar Zambo's side!"
The office erupted once more, but this time, Pastorello joined the commotion. He stood, pacing toward the television, his gaze fixed on the screen. The sight of Cassani and Ferrante celebrating together on the pitch, with Aymar Zambo embracing his players on the sidelines, was almost too much to process.
"Aymar… Zambo," Pastorello muttered. He watched as the young coach, still surrounded by his players, gestured with a mix of calm authority and unbridled passion.
In that moment, Pastorello saw something he hadn't noticed before. This wasn't the inexperienced rookie he had reluctantly appointed. This was a leader. A fighter.
As the camera lingered on Zambo, Pastorello let out a soft chuckle.
"Maybe I should've brought him up sooner."
For the first time in what felt like an eternity, hope flickered in the president's chest.
...
...
Aymar Zambo stood at the edge of the pitch at the Stadio Nereo Rocco, oblivious to the many eyes watching him from across Italy and beyond. The cameras had given him frequent close-ups throughout the game, capturing his composed intensity, but his sole focus was the match unfolding before him.
The first half had been a dream performance for Hellas Verona. The players executed the high-pressure tactics with precision, and their morale soared after Cassani and Ferrante gave them a commanding 2–0 lead. As the whistle blew for halftime, Aymar greeted his players with a handshake and congratulatory words, his satisfaction evident but his composure unwavering.
Inside the locker room, he gave his team a brief respite before diving into his tactical instructions.
"Great work so far, but remember, this is only halftime," Aymar began, his tone firm but encouraging. "We stick to our game plan, but I want you to conserve energy where possible. Retract slightly, stay compact, and focus on transitioning quickly when we regain possession."
He turned his attention to the defense. "Nicco, Hutt, Torrisi—keep your eyes on Piovaccari. His movement is deceptive, and he likes to drop between the midfield and the forward line. Don't give him space."
The players nodded, their trust in Aymar's guidance now deeply rooted after the first-half success.
As the second half kicked off, Verona's intensity remained high. The team continued to harry Triestina's players, disrupting their attempts to build possession. Despite Aymar's instructions to conserve energy, the Verona players couldn't resist the thrill of asserting their dominance.
In the 55th minute, the third goal came in a moment of stunning simplicity. A Verona counterattack saw Nicco intercept a poor pass from Triestina's defense. He surged forward before threading a perfectly weighted ball to Ferrante, who darted past his marker. Ferrante's first touch was sublime, setting himself up to strike with his weaker left foot. The ball soared past Generoso Rossi and nestled into the top corner. 3–0.
Moments later, Aymar made a tactical substitution, deciding to replace Ferrante with Tommaso to add fresh legs to the attack. Ferrante received a standing ovation from Verona's traveling supporters as he jogged off, exchanging a quick word of encouragement with Tommaso.
"Keep the pressure on them," Ferrante said as he clapped the young striker on the back.
In the 72nd minute, the fourth goal arrived. Nicco, playing as a right wingback, darted down the flank and whipped a curling cross into the box. Cossu, who had retreated into the midfield to collect the ball earlier in the move, surged forward just in time to meet the cross. His towering header left Rossi no chance, sending Verona's bench into wild celebrations.
"Beautiful!" Aymar exclaimed, clapping with satisfaction as his players jogged back to their positions.
With Triestina now completely demoralized, Verona continued to exploit the gaps in their defensive line. In the 84th minute, the fifth and final goal was a testament to their teamwork. Torrisi won a critical duel in the midfield and released Cassani with a quick pass. Cassani weaved through two defenders before spotting Tommaso unmarked at the edge of the box.
Tommaso, with ice-cold composure, took one touch to control and another to slot the ball into the bottom corner. The 5–0 scoreline silenced the home crowd, leaving only Verona's traveling supporters and bench to erupt in celebration.
On the sidelines, Aymar maintained his composure, though his clenched fists betrayed his pride. "That's how we do it, boys," he muttered under his breath as his players celebrated yet another triumph.
...
...
When the referee blew the final whistle at the Stadio Nereo Rocco, the home crowd erupted in a cacophony of boos aimed squarely at the visiting Hellas Verona team and their rookie coach, Aymar Zambo. The scoreboard glowed 5–0, a crushing result that left the Triestina fans humiliated.
Unbothered by the hostile atmosphere, Aymar sprinted onto the pitch, celebrating alongside his jubilant players. They had just achieved the unthinkable—an emphatic away victory, their first win of the season, and against a team that hadn't lost in their last 10 matches.
As the Verona players soaked in their triumph, Aymar turned to them, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
"This crowd booed us for 90 minutes. Have you thought about how to thank them?" he asked, his tone playful but charged with adrenaline.
The players exchanged curious glances, unsure of what he had in mind.
"Follow me," Aymar instructed, leading them to the edge of the pitch nearest to the stands packed with Triestina fans. The players lined up behind him in a neat row.
"On my count—one, two, three—bow!"
The entire Verona team bowed deeply toward the jeering crowd, an act of exaggerated mockery that stunned the fans into silence for a few seconds before triggering an even louder torrent of boos and insults. Crumpled paper, plastic bottles, and other debris rained down from the stands.
"That was fantastic!" Cossu laughed as they jogged back toward the tunnel, grinning from ear to ear.
"I've been wanting to give it back to them all game!" Torrisi added, his face alight with satisfaction.
Back in the locker room, the mood was electric. Players were laughing, shouting, and reveling in their triumph. Some were half-dressed, others still fully kitted, all caught up in the moment.
When Aymar pushed the door open, the room fell silent. The players turned to him, their expressions a mix of pride and anticipation.
Walking among them, Aymar hugged each player individually, his words genuine and heartfelt.
"I'm proud of every single one of you," he said, his voice steady but brimming with emotion. "What you achieved today was nothing short of extraordinary. On this pitch, against this opponent, you showed everyone what Hellas Verona is capable of."
He stepped back, addressing the entire group. "Today, you didn't just play a game—you made a statement. You proved to yourselves, and to everyone watching, that as long as we stay united, we can achieve anything.
"Remember, we beat a team that hadn't lost in 10 games. They were flying high, and now look at them—they're probably crying in their locker room right now. But don't feel sorry for them. This is football, and there's no room for pity. The only way forward is through constant hard work and victory after victory.
"So, I ask you—do you believe in yourselves now?"
"Yes!" the players roared, forming a tight circle around Aymar.
"Do you want to reach Serie A?" he shouted again.
"Yes!"
Aymar smiled, his voice growing firmer. "Words alone won't get us there. If we want to reach Serie A, we have to outwork every opponent. We're still behind, and the only way to close the gap is to push harder every single day. Are you ready for that?"
"Yes, coach!" came the unified reply, their voices echoing through the locker room.
At that moment, Pippo Glaviano poked his head through the door, his expression slightly amused. "Coach, we have a situation," he said.
"What is it, Pippo?" Aymar asked, turning to his assistant.
Glaviano stepped into the room. "The parking lot is swarming with reporters. They're desperate for interviews after today's performance."
Aymar smirked. "Funny how they never cared to show up before we started winning."
Turning back to his players, he asked, "So, what do you want? Do we stay and give them their stories, or head straight back to Verona and celebrate this victory as a team?"
"Go back!" the players shouted in unison, their decision unanimous.
Aymar nodded approvingly. "Good choice. Pippo, make sure the staff arrange a quiet exit for us. Let those reporters wait."
The players erupted into laughter, their camaraderie stronger than ever as they prepared to leave Trieste victorious.
...
...
The team traveled from the Trieste area back to Verona by train, transferring through Venice before arriving at their final destination.
As the bus rolled into Verona's city center, an enthusiastic crowd of around 30 to 40 fans gathered at a major intersection to welcome the team home. Holding banners aloft and chanting support, their excitement filled the air. When they spotted the bus, the fans cheered louder, their energy palpable as they celebrated the team's stunning victory.
The scene brought a reflective smile to Aymar Zambo's face. He couldn't help but think back to the hostility they faced upon Gillo Urso's departure. It was a stark reminder of how fickle football fans could be. While he appreciated their support, Aymar knew these celebrations were a gift born of victory. A string of defeats could quickly turn their cheers into jeers.
Aymar approached the moment with level-headedness. Even when the club's president, Giambattista Pastorello, personally greeted the team at the training ground, beaming with pride, Aymar remained calm. He understood that the support he currently enjoyed was fragile—success would keep it alive, but failure could snuff it out just as easily.
He politely declined invitations to celebrations, interviews with reporters, and overtures from wealthy locals eager to bask in the team's recent triumph. For Aymar, football remained the core of his focus. Defeating Triestina was just the first step in a long journey.
The victory had tangible benefits, too. Aymar's achievement in beating a strong team like Triestina earned him 10 achievement points from the CoachMaster Guidance System, a valuable resource for his ongoing mission.
Additionally, team morale soared. Cassani, Ferrante, and others who had already shown great spirit under Aymar's leadership were now brimming with confidence. Even the lowest-ranked players in terms of morale had reached 79 points—a testament to the unity and energy within the squad.
As the team trained during the week, Aymar reflected on an interesting development: Spezia, Hellas Verona's next opponent, had been in contact with him during the winter break. Their interest in appointing him as their coach had been genuine but short-lived. Concerned about his lack of experience in professional football, they had decided to pursue more seasoned options.
Now, facing them in a crucial relegation battle, Aymar couldn't help but feel a sense of irony. The very team that doubted his capabilities would now face the full force of his tactics.
The elevated morale translated into passionate and focused training sessions. Aymar, alongside his assistant Pippo Glaviano, introduced innovative ball drills that challenged and refined the players' technical abilities.
Glaviano, his assistant when they were in the second team, now found himself with a more influential role. With Aymar's backing, he devised high-intensity training regimens to ensure the players' physical conditioning and tactical sharpness.
After a week of rest and preparation, Hellas Verona welcomed Spezia to the Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi. Sitting just one spot above Verona in the league table, Spezia represented a crucial hurdle in Aymar's mission to turn the season around.
It seemed that Aymar Zambo was determined to make a statement against Spezia, a team sitting just above Verona in the table. From the opening whistle, Verona played with a level of intensity and cohesion that overwhelmed their opponents. The attacking quartet of Ferrante, Cassani, Cossu, and Nicco on the right continued to demonstrate growing chemistry, causing chaos in Spezia's defensive ranks.
In the 32nd minute, Nicco darted down the right wing, his pace leaving Spezia's fullback trailing behind. He delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, where Cassani rose above his marker and powered a header past the helpless Spezia goalkeeper. 1–0!
The momentum stayed with Verona. Just five minutes later, Torrisi intercepted a misjudged pass in midfield and threaded a sharp diagonal ball to Ferrante. Timing his run perfectly, Ferrante slipped past the Spezia defense and slotted the ball coolly into the bottom corner. 2–0!
After halftime, Verona showed no signs of slowing down. In the 56th minute, Cossu drifted into the central channel, picking up a loose ball outside the penalty area. With a clever turn, he bypassed his marker and unleashed a curling shot that nestled into the top corner. The crowd erupted as Verona extended their lead to 3–0!
The Verona players, now brimming with confidence, piled on the pressure. In the 72nd minute, Nicco broke free once more on the right flank, sending another dangerous cross into the box. This time, Cossu turned provider, heading the ball down to Ferrante, who smashed it home from close range for his second goal of the night. 4–0!
But Verona wasn't done yet. In the 85th minute, substitute Tommaso, who had replaced Ferrante moments earlier, made his mark. Torrisi intercepted a Spezia attack and initiated a quick counter. Cassani sprinted down the left, cutting inside and spotting Tommaso unmarked at the edge of the box. The young striker took one touch to control before firing a composed shot into the bottom corner. 5–0!
The stadium was electric as the Verona fans celebrated another emphatic performance. Two matches, two wins, 10 goals scored, and none conceded—Aymar Zambo's Verona had arrived. Spezia, stunned and demoralized, were left to reflect on a humiliating defeat, while Verona's players walked off the pitch with their heads held high, exuding belief in their newfound potential.
In the 24th round, Hellas Verona welcomed another crucial relegation battle at home, this time facing Treviso, currently sitting 19th in the league standings. Verona, riding high on the momentum of two consecutive victories, showed no signs of slowing down. Even with Cassani sidelined due to a minor injury, Aymar Zambo's side remained disciplined and focused.
The match was a tightly contested affair, with both teams aware of the stakes. Verona had most of the possession in the first half but struggled to break down Treviso's compact defensive structure. It wasn't until the 61st minute that the breakthrough came. Marco Ferrante, ever-reliable in crucial moments, latched onto a perfectly timed through ball from Torrisi and slotted it past Treviso's goalkeeper with precision, giving Verona a 1–0 lead.
Treviso tried to respond but found themselves stifled by Verona's well-organized defense. Gianluca Nicco, playing as a right wingback, was particularly effective in disrupting Treviso's wide attacks, while Louis Hutt marshaled the backline with authority. As the clock ticked down, Verona maintained their composure, denying their opponents any clear opportunities.
When the final whistle blew, the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi erupted in applause. With their third consecutive victory, Hellas Verona had firmly established themselves as the most surprising team in Serie B. The clean sheet streak, coupled with their steadily improving performances, had transformed the atmosphere around the club from one of despair to hope.
Now at the start of February, Verona's remarkable turnaround was gaining attention not just locally but across Italy. Aymar Zambo, the young and unorthodox coach at the helm, was becoming a name to watch in Italian football circles. His tactical acumen and ability to inspire his players had turned Verona's fortunes around in just a few short weeks, leaving fans and critics alike in awe.