Comparisonator CEO K. Tarkan Batgun Interviewed Football Guru Gianluca Di Marzio at Social Football Summit
During the Social Football Summit at Stadio Olimpico-Rome, K. Tarkan Batgun, CEO of Comparisonator, interviewed one of the most respected football experts in Italy, Gianluca Di Marzio. The conversation revolved around the intersection of football data, artificial intelligence, and how these technologies influence the industry.
Tarkan Batgun’s Interview with Gianluca Di Marzio:
Tarkan Batgun:
“How did you find the Comparisonator tool, in your opinion?”
Gianluca Di Marzio:
“I’m not saying this because we know each other, but Comparisonator is like a revolution. I really appreciate what you’re doing. In my role, I need to understand players who will be transferred to Italy. Everyone wants to know if a player coming to Italy will perform well or not. This tool gives us a very good idea of the future success of the player in Italy, whether they can fit into a team, and which team would be the best. So, congratulations to you.”
Tarkan Batgun:
“As you know, we are in the data and artificial intelligence business at Comparisonator, so what’s your perception of the relationship between data and AI in football?”
Gianluca Di Marzio:
“I think in modern football, data and AI are extremely important for everyone involved—coaches, sports directors, and chairmen. They need to know the players they are going to buy, so it’s crucial for media to understand the players better. This helps us know exactly what we’re talking about when we discuss them in our programs. Fans also want to know about transfers, sometimes even more than we do. They’re eager for details—sometimes even more than the coaches or players themselves.”
About Gianluca Di Marzio:
Gianluca Di Marzio began his career in journalism in 1994, working for Padovasport, a local sports programme on Italian television. He later participated in Goal Time, a program with several notable guests. Di Marzio spent ten years at Telenuovo, covering Padova Calcio sports news. This experience, he claims, was pivotal in shaping his later career. He also provided sports commentary on Telepiú on Sundays. His significant breakthrough came when Massimo Corcione invited him to join Sky Sports, where he moved to Milan and became part of the sports channel’s team, covering multiple World Cups and Serie A matches.
About Tarkan Batgun:
As the CEO of Comparisonator, K. Tarkan Batgun brings over 20 years of expertise in football analytics, drawing from his experience both in clubs and agencies within the global football industry. He served as a Board Member at Altınordu FK during the 2020-21 season and was a lecturer at Halic University in Istanbul, where he taught in the Physical Education and Sports Faculty from 2010 to 2021. Batgun also held the position of Director of Scouting at Bursaspor, where he pioneered the concept of the “Scouting Laboratory.” Additionally, he worked as a management consultant for leading companies in the sector.
Many thanks to Nicola Innocentin for introducing Gianluca. Special compliments to event organizers Gianfilippo Valentini, Massimo Tucci, Damiano Cori, and Federica Perelli for hosting such a successful event.
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