From the Press Box: Adam Summerton

In the latest in our weekly series with members of the media, BT Sport's Serie A commentator Adam Summerton tells us about how he prepares for Roma games - and how his kids are helping him during lockdown…

How have you been spending lockdown?

“I am in Nottingham with my family. I have gone from commentator to teacher since I am currently home-schooling my two kids, Ella and Brooke. They are helping keep my football knowledge sharp, too. For one of our geography lessons, I got them to pick a team of players from 11 different capital cities, including Rome. Ella chose Pau Lopez in goal while Brooke picked Edin Dzeko up front!

“PE also has a football theme in our house. I have been teaching the kids Cruyff and Maradona turns in the garden. I’ve been doing lots of exercise myself as well, plus various clear-outs or home chores that I'd normally reserve for the quieter summer months. And I am currently reading ‘Calcio: A History of Italian Football’ by John Foot, which I thoroughly recommend.”

Can you prep or practice with no games on?

“You can always put some prep time in, but practice is obviously a bit harder. That said, there are plenty of esports tournaments going on and I know Roma have been part of some of them. A colleague actually emailed me the other day and suggested I should offer my services as a commentator. I'd never thought about it before and I am open to offers!

“I have also done a couple of fun ‘life commentaries’ during lockdown: one on a walk when I noticed some swans taking up a flat back-four formation and the other was a video of my children playing crazy golf.”

How did you end up becoming a football commentator?

“My first full-time job was at a local radio station in Nottingham where I really started to learn my trade. I worked in a variety of roles, including news reading and presenting. The boss there was a former football commentator and he decided it was something I might be good at so threw me in at the deep end.

“My first commentary was Cambridge United v Mansfield Town at the Abbey Stadium on 27 September 2003. I was hoping for a fairly calm affair, but it proved anything but. Three players were sent off, including two for Mansfield before half-time. Their manager, Keith Curle, was also dismissed and they even gave away a penalty, but still somehow won the game 2-1. It was all very heated and dramatic. I was hooked on commentary after that.”

So how do you usually prep for games?

“My prep for a Roma game typically takes a couple of days. I go through and update lots of statistical information that I've built up using a variety of online resources.

“I also look for lots of commentary colour – little bits of information on the teams and individual players. For example, I read an Edin Dzeko interview earlier this season where he talked about the love he and his family have for Rome, and how his daughter considers the city home.

"I found another piece, with Gianluca Mancini, where he talked candidly about his great understanding with Chris Smalling and how they learned to communicate at times through eye signals while Smalling was less proficient in Italian.

“I usually find myself translating online versions of Italian newspapers, looking at players social media or just speaking to people in the game to get this type of information. And I will always read back translations of the pre-match press conferences, too, which often contain some gems I can use during commentaries.

“Finally, I put a lot of emphasis on pronouncing names correctly, which takes time to research and learn. It is always handy when a player clarifies how to say their name, so it was great to discover a video of Cengiz Under [Jen-giss Oon-dah] doing just that after he joined Roma.”

How did you fall in love with Serie A?

“Channel 4's ‘Football Italia’ show in the nineties was what first captivated me. It was like a window to another footballing world. It was where I was introduced to Francesco Totti and have since seen him score a record 307 goals. I doubt that tally will ever be surpassed.

“Later in life, I guess BT Sport gaining the rights to cover Serie A in 2013 meant I thoroughly immersed myself in the league even more and learnt as much as I could, so that my commentary was as well informed as possible. I'd always retained an interest in Italian football from the nineties but commentating on Serie A made me fall in love with it all over again.”

Do you follow a Serie A team?

“I would love to say Roma, but honestly my job makes it impossible to properly support any one team. Believe it or not, I've never actually picked an Italian side. I just follow the league in a truly neutral way. I love Serie A and particularly enjoy seeing Italian clubs doing well in Europe.

"Generally, us commentators rarely reveal who we support to avoid being accused of bias.

But I do follow the results of several sides who I have soft spots for having lived in those areas."

What are some of your favourite Roma memories?

“It is obviously hard to get away from the derbies against Lazio. They are such special occasions. The 'Totti selfie' match of January 2015, which finished 2-2, is one that will live long in my memory.

“The Derby della Capitale is arguably the most intense and passionate of Serie A rivalries. The significance attached to the outcome by supporters is probably unrivalled, regardless of league position or what’s on the line. There are many historical factors as to why this fixture is so intense, but I think the fact that the majority of Roma and Lazio fans are based in or near the capital, rather being spread all over the country, has a major bearing on it.

“I should also mention Roma’s 3-3 draw with Atalanta in January 2019. This was captivating for the neutral, if ultimately frustrating for the Giallorossi, who threw away a three-goal advantage.

"And, of course, you can't really talk about recent Roma memories without mentioning Kostas Manolas. His famous winner in Roma’s memorable comeback win over Barcelona in the Champions League in April 2018 was breathtaking.

"I think, like many people who watched the game on BT Sport in the UK, my abiding memory is the outstanding commentary on that goal from Peter Drury. It really was spine-tingling and illustrated why Peter is so well respected. I also remember after De Rossi's penalty having that wide-eyed moment which I'd sum up by saying, 'They couldn't, could they?'... and they did!

Assuming Serie A resumes, how do you think Roma will fare?

“I expect Roma to push Atalanta all the way for the final Champions League place. They certainly have the quality within the squad to do so, although it's La Dea's to lose, being three points clear with a game in hand.

“Atalanta were in superb form and on a massive Champions League high before the season was paused; and while that match rhythm has clearly been disrupted it will be interesting to see if they can maintain the momentum they had built up.

“I hope we get to see how it all plays out. I think completing a season that is three-quarters done should take priority over starting a new one, but it is obviously best to follow the advice and guidance of Italy's best medical minds and then see what’s possible.”

One suggestion, tabled by UEFA recently, is to allow teams to use five substitutes. How do you think that will alter the game and is that the type of change that could be here to stay?

“I can see both sides of the argument on this. I understand people saying it's changing the rules midway through the season, but I think we have to remember these are truly unprecedented times and we must perhaps be more flexible than normal. So if players are going to be asked to play a large number of games in a condensed period of time I think it makes sense to allow more substitutions in order to prevent fatigue and injury.”

In many countries, footballers have been asked to take pay cuts whilst, at the same time, being told to return back to action as soon as possible. Have some players been unfairly treated during this crisis?

“Yes, I think they have been unfairly scapegoated just because they earn good wages at the top level. It’s all felt very populist and opportunist from politicians, especially in England, to ask players to take home less and donate more. Footballers can be an easy target for this sort of criticism.

"But many, as Roma’s players have proven by volunteering a salary deferral, are very active in terms of donations and happy to help. And In terms of how quickly they have resumed training, I guess every individual player will have their own thoughts on this and whether they are happy, or otherwise, about return dates.”

Finally, you also commentate on the Women’s Super League in England for BT Sport. Women's football could be adversely affected by the pandemic. How can football authorities and clubs ensure the progress being made in women's football isn't set back by Covid-19?

“I found it encouraging to read that FIFA have confirmed that investment worth £800 million (€920m) in women's football is still going ahead despite the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic. However there are definitely still concerns – as highlighted recently by global players’ union FIFPro – who have said there has to be a clear commitment to stabilise competitions and provide financial assistance to keep leagues, clubs and players in business.

“Women's football also can't be treated in the same way as the men's game because it is at a totally different stage of development, and the speed of that development is very different in nations across the world. There can't be a 'one-size fits all' approach to this.”


Adam Summerton is a UK-based Italian football commentator working for BT Sport and IMG. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamSummerton