He set the phone down and leaned back against the couch while Sunday's magnitude continued growing, and the media's framing—academy reject versus academy product—would follow him all the way to kickoff whether he acknowledged it or not.
Friday, October 21, 2022
Centro Bortolotti Training Complex
11:30 AM
Friday's session was deliberately light as Gasperini wanted fresh legs for Sunday, and the squad moved through activation drills and set-piece walkthroughs without heavy running, and when the session ended at 11:30 AM players began heading toward the locker room knowing the afternoon would bring travel preparations.
Demien approached Gasperini near the sideline as the manager was speaking with his assistant about defensive assignments, and when the conversation paused Demien spoke clearly. "Mister, can I ask something?"
Gasperini turned, and his expression was neutral as he nodded. "Go ahead."
