Reno Piscopo is counting down the days until his Wellington Phoenix team-mates can join him on the other side of the Tasman.
Piscopo has been training by himself more than 2500km away from the rest of the A-League Men’s team during the first few weeks of pre-season after returning to Australia following the Olympics to spend precious time with his grandfather before he passed away.
“I wanted to see him one last time before he went, and that was my reason why,” he said.
“It’s been really tough these past couple of months for me, so I needed my family around, and I think it’s helped me a lot; being back in Melbourne where my family is.”
Faced with the prospect of spending another fortnight in managed isolation if he travelled back to Wellington for pre-season training due to the current Covid-19 restrictions at the border, Piscopo was granted permission by the Phoenix to stay in Melbourne and be with his family until the end of October.
That is when the Phoenix are due to arrive in Australia to continue their preparation for the new season.
They will be based in New South Wales for at least the first six games as the current restrictions make it impossible to host games without having to quarantine.
“Unfortunately I can’t be with the team in this crazy scenario at the moment, but I’m doing everything I can do to be in the best shape for when I do meet up with the team,” Piscopo said.
“Hopefully I can get a couple of friendly games in before the first game and hopefully I’ll be 100 per cent by then.
“I’ve just been training individually and getting some boys down to do group sessions. To be honest it’s been good, I’ve been feeling good and pushing hard, and that’s the main thing.
“Training by yourself can be hard at times but if you have people around you that know what you’re doing and can motivate you it’s an extra push.”
New signing Nicholas Pennington is in the same boat as Piscopo, albeit even further away from Wellington.
Unable to secure a spot in managed isolation which would have allowed him to fly to New Zealand, Pennington is still in Italy and like Piscopo will have to meet up with the rest of the team in Australia.
Piscopo is relatively familiar with Pennington, having previously played against him when Piscopo was in the Inter Milan academy, while they were one-time team-mates with Australia’s under-23 national team.
Piscopo was excited about what attack-minded midfielder could bring to the Phoenix in his first season in the A-League Men.
“He will bring creativity. He wants to get on the ball. He’s not afraid to get on the ball and look for those forward passes, which is what we want,” he said.
“Hopefully he can have a good season with us and show what he’s got, and make the Wellington fans happy.
“It’ll be nice to have another Italian in the team, so I’m looking forward to catching up with him again.”
Being over in Melbourne, Piscopo was not present when veteran defender Steven Taylor addressed the rest of the Phoenix playing squad last week and said that he was retiring with immediate effect.
He said he only learned of his captain’s bombshell retirement via team-mate Jaushua Sotirio.
“I was a bit shocked. I was expecting to play with him this season,” he said.
“I didn’t see that coming, but at the end of the day he’s had a great career and it’s his choice with what he does in his life.
“If that’s what he wants to do then I wish him nothing but the best and hope he has a good retirement and enjoys it.”
The upcoming A-League Men’s season looms as a big one for the 23-year-old Piscopo, who is entering the final year of his three-year deal with the Phoenix.
As the club has struggled to bring players in from overseas, Piscopo will be expected to fill the creative void left by Johnny Warren medallist Ulises Davila, who has signed for first round opponents Macarthur.
Piscopo has been handed the No. 10 jersey, generally worn by a football team’s star playmaker, following Davila’s departure.
“I believe if I stay injury-free then I can do more things; I create more, I can assist more, I can score more.
“Unfortunately last season I had a lot of ups and downs due to injuries but this season I hope that doesn’t happen again because I know what I can bring.”
Piscopo attended the Tokyo Olympics with Australia’s Olyroos but was unable to take the field after picking up an untimely calf injury after featuring in a warm-up game against New Zealand’s OlyWhites.
He said it was heart-breaking to watch from the sidelines after playing a key role in helping the team qualify.
“I pushed it because it’s the Olympics and I want to play, but maybe I should have just rested it, missed out on the first two games and would’ve been there for the Egypt game, but we tried getting me back as soon as possible and unfortunately it wasn’t going to happen.
“I went through a lot being there but not being able to play, not being able to help my team or my country. I was waiting two years to go to the Olympics and play and it got taken away from me because of an injury.
“I was very disappointed but it is what it is, you can’t control certain things in life and I’m just focussing now on having a good season and hopefully I can get called up to the Socceroos.”
After a challenging time, Piscopo said he was glad he had the start of a new season to keep him going.
“I’m looking forward to being with the team again and finally getting started,” he said.
“It’s been a long couple of months for me and to be out there doing what I love helps me get my mind off things.
“That’s where I’m my happiest; when I’m on the pitch and I’m playing football.
“For the moment though I’m just keeping strong for my family and my loved ones, and being here for everyone while I’m here.”
