The 2023 season of the Rhinos Milano disappointed expectations. The team started with a series of important victories, but towards the end of the season, due to injuries and other issues, they lost the most crucial games, including the one against the Skorpions Varese in the playoff wildcard. This year, after a series of signings both in the coaching staff and in the roster, they are ready to prove their worth. Let's hear from Head Coach Christian Nobile, Wide Receiver Bruno Escobar, and Defensive Lineman Claudio Nicola.
HEAD COACH CHRISTIAN NOBILE
In his second year as Head Coach of the Rhinos Milano, Christian Nobile is ready to take his team to the next level. Over these 2 years, Nobile has worked extensively on the mental aspect of his team, and thanks to his experience, he has certainly brought many innovations to the Rhinos roster.
Last season, you started the season with a series of important victories, but at a certain point, you dropped in intensity and struggled to achieve significant results, including the loss in the wildcard. How many and which mental and tactical aspects have changed in the Rhinos this year? What do you still need to work on? What do you expect from your team in this new season?
Compared to last season, we've made numerous changes in the coaching staff and signed many players both on offense and defense. Since September, we've been working very professionally and have grown in unity and confidence as a team. Additionally, to enhance the quality of our roster, we had to make player selections, and unfortunately, 10 players didn't make the final roster.
All these aspects have given us a lot of self-awareness. We don't lack humility, but this year, we want to win, and I believe we're ready to do it . Right now , I think we're at about 60% of our potential; there's still a lot to improve. We need to work together to bring out the group's identity and resilience because I believe that when a team learns to suffer together , it also learns how to win. Our group still needs to grow, which is why we're doing team-building sessions. Trustworthiness among teammates will be a crucial element this season.
Last year, with the injury of your starting quarterback in Week 1, you struggled to find continuity. This year, you've signed many Italian players, a new American quarterback, and Offensive Coordinator Khalil Steward. How is the offense working? How have the new Italian players and Hamish McClure integrated into the offensive system?
I'm very happy to work with Khalil this year. I needed a young and motivated coach, and he came to Milan with something to prove. He has a lot of enthusiasm, pays great attention to detail, and has incredible energy. All these aspects are reflected in our offense, which has become very energetic and explosive this year.
The Italian guys we signed have integrated very well into our team. Hamish and Raven, our two quarterbacks, are improving practice by practice. We're working very well during practices because Khalil and I are focused on the team 24/7. The other two coaches we signed, Gabriele Zaccarelli and Marco Massironi, bring a lot of experience to our coaching staff and both invest a lot of time in the team. So I believe that our offense will be much more efficient and consistent this year.
You have been the most active team in the market, and in defense, you have signed many experienced Italian players and the American LB Dustin Huseinovic. How much do you believe the defense has improved this year? What are you still lacking? How much is the work of the new quality coach Brian Pariani helping you? Are you ready to step up on the next level?
Brian Pariani is an incredible asset for us. Together with him, we have three meetings a week where we evaluate players, plan practices, and study new offensive schemes and routes. Despite his NFL experience, Brian is a very humble person who makes himself available and listens a lot.
I'm very pleased with the defensive players we've signed; they all have a great attitude, and Dustin is outstanding, both as a person and as a player. He directs the defense very well, and I'm confident he'll do a great job. This year, we trust in our group of Italian defensive backs and we invested heavily in them, unlike other teams that often choose to sign an American safety. Honestly, last year was very disappointing for me. I expected us to reach the semifinals, and the fault of the failure was all on me and the coaching staff. However, the positive aspect of last year is that we started to introduce a winning sports culture. I want the Rhinos to win the championship this year, and I don't want to hide that. Anything could happen this year, but I am truly aware and confident in my team. We've worked with the awareness of wanting to achieve specific goals.
WIDE RECEIVER BRUNO ESCOBAR
Let's hear from Bruno Escobar, who was certainly one of the key players on the Rhinos' offense last year and is very confident in his team's abilities this year.
You played a key role in the Rhinos' offense last season. This year, with a new offensive coordinator and a new American QB, what are the expectations for the Rhinos' offense? How's the connection with Hamish McClure going? Which tactical aspects are you focusing on the most?
Our new offensive coordinator's goal is to score as many points as possible. We want to win games with our offense. We lost Simone Boni, one of the best receivers in the league, but the return of Romello Bentley and the arrival of Hamish still make us a solid offense. This year, compared to last season, we'll have a more balanced offense between running and passing. The addition of running back Manuel Savoia gives us a valid option for the running game. The playbook is completely new, and I really like it. Hamish is very physically ready and runs the ball very well.
Last season, you struggled to find offensive stability. What do you think will change this year? What mental aspects do you still need to improve? How much confidence does your group have for the upcoming season?
This year, we have two strong quarterbacks available, both capable of playing and giving us different options. The team is very united both on and off the field, and we often hang out together. We're working a lot on maintaining focus after a mistake; Coach Khalil cares about this mental aspect a lot. When the games get tough, it will be important to stay mentally focused, and we're ensuring that we have it when needed. Both Coach Nobile and Coach Khalil are doing an incredible job of strengthening our confidence; we can really achieve great things this year. The new guys have integrated very well into the team, and many of them have already become starters.
DEFENSIVE LINE CLAUDIO NICOLA
Let’s finish the interview with Claudio Nicola’s words , who’s returning to the Rhinos after 5 years playing with the Seamen and he’s gonna be one of the leaders of their defense .
After 5 years, you've returned to the Rhinos. How many and what aspects of the team have changed over these years? How do you feel about the transition between the European League of Football (ELF) and the Italian Football League (IFL)? How’s the team working for the upcoming season?
I'm very happy to be back with the Rhinos, and the group has obviously changed, but in a positive way. The transition from the ELF to the IFL is more noticeable from a physical standpoint rather than a technical or athletic one.
We're a young team that has everything to prove and a desire to do well. They've put us low in the first power rankings, but we don’t care about it, we just want to perform well in the championship. We're training well, we have a highly skilled coaching staff, especially Gis (Coach Nobile), who is doing an incredible job and is a role model for all of us. We'll do everything possible to go all the way.
You've recently returned, but you're certainly one of the leaders of the Rhinos defense. How is the defense going with the arrival of so many new players? Do you think the new American LB, Dustin Huseinovic, will have a good impact on your defense? What are your goals for the new season?
As far as I'm concerned, we don't play unless it's to win. Dustin is a very precious player for our defense; he immediately made himself available to everyone. He has all the qualities that a linebacker needs: he's fast, intelligent, and has excellent physicality.
When you have a single goal, everyone works together to achieve it, and that's what the defense is doing. We're not afraid of anything, and every practice we're improving more and more. We're constantly monitored and corrected on Hudl to improve our performance. As mentioned before, we all have one goal: win.
2024 RHINOS MILANO PERSPECTIVE
The Rhinos Milano, after a disappointing 2023 season marked by injuries and missed opportunities, are gearing up for redemption in the upcoming IFL 2024 season. With a revamped coaching staff, strategic signings, and a renewed focus on mental fortitude and team unity, Head Coach Christian Nobile is determined to lead his team to new heights. Key players like Wide Receiver Bruno Escobar and Defensive Lineman Claudio Nicola share the team's confidence and commitment to achieving success. With a blend of experience and fresh talent, the Rhinos are poised to make a strong comeback and challenge for championship glory in the competitive Italian Football League.
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