The growth of Vazquez, the paranormal error of Johnsen, the desire to keep the tension high despite the indisputable fourth place: it is an all-round Giovanni Stroppa who talks about the next grey-red match, the last match of the championship against Cittadella scheduled Friday at Zini at 8.30pm. The rotations will continue, forced due to the absences of Ravanelli, Collocolo and Pickel, scientific due to the use of players who have so far had less space.
Mister, last appointment with Cittadella before the playoffs. Will it be a game where you can manage your forces?
“It will be important to manage, of course, but it is absolutely not a training session: it is a championship match and as such it must be tackled, aware that we will have to stay focused and close this first part of our season in the best possible way in view of what will happen next. Then”.
What advantages or disadvantages will facing tomorrow’s match have without worrying about the standings and with the playoffs already in your pocket?
“First of all, I underline that the mentality must be the same as always: this is an official commitment and must be addressed 100%. In front of us there will be a top-level team that experienced disappointment at a particular moment of the season by failing to achieve what could have been an objective, but they will have a clear mind. As in previous outings, I will make some changes, giving those who have played less the opportunity to express themselves and managing the situation with cautions.”
In the playoffs, in addition to physical energy, nervous energy will be decisive. In this sense, how is Cremo doing?
“This is a discussion we will have once the regular season is over. Now I’m only interested in this championship match, collecting more points and improving my performances. I said it won’t be training, except from a head and mentality point of view: we know we’re going to make the playoffs and not pulling the plug from that point of view will help us.”
After the match against Pisa he said that Coda entered the pitch well focused and the goal was proof of this; So does Johnsen’s mistake in Parma mean that he isn’t focused?
“That was a technical error and it ends there. Instead, I prefer to think about the positive things that Johnsen does and the fact that he always takes part in the key actions of the match, for example in Parma in the case of the sending off”.
As someone who knows them, how are the playoffs managed?
“We will manage the playoffs but for now I want to stay focused on tomorrow’s match. We must maintain our mentality and not lose focus on the race. Someone will have the opportunity to once again demonstrate their commitment and their desire to change the hierarchies: it is a match that will act as a stimulus.”
How is the team?
“The last training session is still missing but we should have Collocolo out, while we won’t risk Ravanelli. However, there is no shortage of choices.”
From Venice and Parma the team appears to be growing. What did you like most? Can Vazquez be increasingly decisive?
“I’ve always seen Vazquez enthusiastic: he plays a different game than the others and it’s an added value. He missed the goal and now they are arriving: they wanted us and I hope he scores more. On Sunday, in addition to quality, he brought great incisiveness. In Venice we played a great match, regardless of the result and in Parma too the match went the right way even if, especially with the extra man, we could have done something different.”
Can Della Rovere be deployed from the start?
“Do I think about letting him play? We will see…”
Will Jungdal return between the sticks?
“Everything is possible”.
During the first leg at Cittadella, a lot changed in terms of training…
“I remember the morning of the match where there was a good discussion with the team. I try to make the lineups paying attention to the merits and trying to field the best lineup beyond the names. We were on a journey of mutual understanding.”
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