You may have played on the most prestigious pitches in the world, taken part in a World Cup, lifted trophies and won league titles. But the tests never end, even, perhaps especially, in Serie D. Just ask Douglas Costa for confirmation. “The first two months were embarrassing,” admits the Brazilian with a smile.
The former winger of Juventus and Bayern Munich has been living in Verona for a few months now, waiting for a move to Dubai. In the city of lovers, the Brazilian has found a temporary home at ChievoVerona, a club that was once part of Italian football history before collapsing and starting over from the amateur leagues.
A rebirth led by Sergio Pellissier, former striker and captain of the miracle Chievo, and Pietro Laterza, entrepreneur and club president, as well as owner of Al-Ittifaq in Dubai.
“Initially, we had an agreement to go to Dubai, but all the foreign player slots there were already filled. At that point, he told me about a second team, Chievo, who were playing in Serie D," Douglas Costa tells Flashscore.
"He asked if I would like to come here for a four or five-month experience, while waiting to move to Dubai. I thought about it and, together with my family, we decided to take on this new adventure in Italy, a country I hold close to my heart.”
He added: "At first, I struggled to find my rhythm and the right way to approach the matches. But gradually, I adapted to the environment. Now I’m happy with the way we play.”
The World Cup is just around the corner, and Brazil are, as always, among the favourites. On the bench is Carlo Ancelotti - do you think he’s the right man to bring the trophy back to Brazil?
"I think Ancelotti has all the qualities needed to win a World Cup. The Brazilian national team has a unique tradition and always has the best talents of the moment at its disposal. In my opinion, if you rely on players with great experience and talent like Neymar, the path is easier. Without a player like that, I think the goal would have been a bit more complicated, even if still within reach."
Do you see Brazil as the absolute favourite?
"Brazil always starts among the favourites, but so do France, Spain and Germany. The level of world football has grown tremendously in recent years: even national teams considered less traditional have made huge progress. If we look at the last World Cup, Morocco did something extraordinary.
"The values have changed: today, if you don’t take the field with maximum focus and the willingness to sacrifice yourself by doing the dirty work, you risk losing against anyone."
What memories do you have of the World Cup you played in 2018?
"A wonderful memory. Since I was a child, I started playing football with the one true goal of one day going to the World Cup. I never imagined I would reach such important clubs in Europe, but the World Cup was always my obsession. Taking part in the 2018 edition was the fulfilment of a dream and a life project that began when I was very little."
What would be your ideal final for this World Cup?
"I can’t say who will make it, but I would really love to see a final between Argentina and Brazil. The South American Superclásico has an atmosphere that, if you weren’t born in Brazil or Argentina, you can’t fully understand. I was lucky enough to play in it: it’s a special match, completely different from all the others."
Checking on Juve
Speaking of the current Serie A - are you still passionate about this league, do you follow it with interest?
"I deeply love football, but I’ve been living this life for almost 20 years. When I’m not busy with my team, I try to switch off. I prefer to focus on my private life, spend time with my family, travel and discover new places. As a result, I can’t follow Serie A very closely, and I can’t give a detailed opinion."
But you do have an idea about how Juventus is doing...
"Yes, I always check Juventus’ results. Compared to previous years, when the team won the league much more decisively and clearly, today the path is more complicated. But Juve is always Juve: I’m convinced that before long they’ll be back at the level they belong."
Do you think you could be the right profile for Juventus to start a winning cycle?
"The Juventus management knows very well what’s best for the club. Juventus has a glorious history and always works to achieve the best. I’ve watched a few matches, and I like the way they play; I wish Spalletti all the best for his career."
Does Italian football still have the same appeal as it once did? Often, compared to the pace of the Champions League, it seems like a different kind of football.
"I literally fell in love with Italian football in the 90s, the era of Del Piero and Ronaldo the Phenomenon at Inter. At that time, Serie A was undoubtedly the strongest and most spectacular league in the world, and I followed it with great admiration.
"When I then had the chance to play there, I appreciated it immensely. Even though, by nature, I was never a fan of the defensive phase, Italy helped me a lot to evolve, to improve my style of play and to learn a lot tactically.
"It’s a kind of football I’ll always carry in my heart. I know that today some things have changed and the overall pace is different, but I’m convinced that Serie A will return to its former glory."
The footballing role models
Let’s talk about Bayern Munich, another of your former teams. You played some incredible matches in Europe, like the one against Paris Saint-Germain. Is that the real model of football?
"It depends on your point of view. I like attacking football, the kind of teams that create a lot and score a lot. I had the privilege of playing for Bayern, and the club’s philosophy has always been this: accept the risk.
"For me, spectacular football is just that. I much prefer to watch a match that ends 3-3 rather than a 0-0 or a 1-0 based solely on defence. The risk of making a mistake is part of the beauty of football."
What memories do you have of your experience in Germany?
"I have fantastic memories. At Bayern Munich, I was coached by giants like Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti and Hansi Flick. I was lucky to work with the best coaches around. We won a lot, dominating the Bundesliga.
"There’s a small regret about not winning the Champions League in those years, even though we made up for it by winning the Club World Cup. I have only wonderful memories of Bayern."
You mentioned Guardiola, a name often linked to the Italian national team bench. Do you think someone like him could be the one to take Italian football to the next level?
"If Italy managed to get Guardiola, it would be a wonderful turning point. As far as I’m concerned, Pep is the greatest coach in football history. It must be said that managing a national team is a completely different job compared to a club.
"At a club, you coach the players every day, while with the national team, you might see the group every three months. It becomes difficult to instil a precise tactical identity in such a short time, especially because the players come from completely different backgrounds and defensive systems.
"I remember when I played for Brazil, these difficulties would come up: I was used to a certain style, while maybe a teammate coming from Atletico Madrid applied completely opposite defensive concepts. Coordinating all this in a national team is complicated for anyone, but Guardiola is still Guardiola."
So, in your opinion, is Guardiola better than Ancelotti?
"They are two very different coaches. Ancelotti is extraordinary in his man management, he has a wonderful relationship with the players and really lacks nothing in that respect.
"Guardiola, on the other hand, lives for tactics: he’s a coach obsessed with studying every little detail, a real scholar of the game. Ancelotti has an immense history that speaks for itself and, despite his long career, continues to prove himself an absolute winner."
Have you thought about when you’ll decide to retire? Are you thinking about it, and what would be the perfect ending to your career?
"I don’t know yet. As long as I feel good physically on the pitch and still have the desire to wake up in the morning to go train, I’ll keep playing. When that inner spark goes out, I’ll raise my hands and go back home."