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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
Gregor MacGregor

'They can do it' - Eros Pisano on Bristol City and their Premier League dreams

We're not too sure what the Italian is for 'whole-hearted full-back' but it might even include mention of a Robins defender who appeared 34 times in the red shirt over the past two campaigns.

Eros Pisano is in the midst of packing and moving out of his home at Abbots Leigh with his family, but is willing to take time out to discuss his time at Bristol City.

And after speaking with him, it's fair to say his English has come on leaps and bounds since arriving in the West Country in 2017.

Especially as he conceded that when he touched down in the South West he only knew one phrase: "F*** off." Fortunately his wife Giulia and daughter have helped him to learn a few more acceptable words in English.

Eros Pisano of Bristol City celebrates scoring (Robbie Stephenson/JMP)

"I had a lot of good times here and I don't know one which one is the best. Maybe the first time I came here and the first game I played at Ashton Gate. I remember that I started to warm up and the fans started to sing a chant, my chant 'Pisa-Pisa-Pisano...'," he tells Bristol Live.

"And this was amazing because I'd never played and the fans didn't know me. Also when I scored my first goal at Ashton Gate."

That goal was the first of two headers netted by the Italian this season, a second on winning the trip to Blackburn Rovers in February.

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Regarding the fans, Pisano has a message to pass over since it was announced that he would be leaving Ashton Gate following the conclusion of his two year contract.

"They have sent me a lot of messages on Instagram, Twitter and email. And I can't answer all of them - and you can help me say 'thank you' because I didn't realise how much they love me and now I understand," added the former Hellas Verona defender.

Eros Pisano of Bristol City celebrates with teammates after scoring (Robbie Stephenson/JMP)

"I want to say thank you to the fans because it's amazing how much they love.

"I was really surprised, and for a player it's always amazing. And I really want to say thank you for this - they always supported me when I was off the pitch and didn't play and when I was injured and they stayed behind. They helped me a lot."

Pisano says that he will keep in touch with people in the South West, has good feelings for the people here and will revisit Bristol City - possibly for a match in the future.

"It's different, in Italy it's a lot more tactical but in England it's more box to box and more physical and quicker. I enjoy football more here - as it's more enjoyable. Especially for the fans," he explains.

"I hope Bristol City can make it to the Premier League. The club says they want to go up. All I can say is 'all the best', because if they go up it's nice for me to say that I played for Bristol City.

"I think they want to grow step by step - and I think they can do it and grow year by year."

And plans for his own future?

"I have a great plan: holiday," he says with a laugh on the immediate future before heading back to Italy at the end of the month.

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