ROVIGO – The MiracoloLodi failed. Not this time. Unfortunately, he had accustomed us to epic feats when you play a season with only one fly-halfand with a substitute who is in fact a center, thinking of beating a full Petrarca was really difficult. Without the Atkins injury (a true fly-half of international caliber) Rovigo would probably have closed the regular season in first place by beating Valorugby in Reggio Emiliaand the story probably would have been different.
Unfortunately, championships cannot be won with ifs and buts, but for next year the rossoblù management will have to make the most of what happened. Atkins would have been fit and drafted for the June 2 final, unfortunately for the rossoblù fans it will be a deal between Viadana and Petrarca Padova.
READ FEMICZ’S REPORT ROVIGO – PETRARCA
READ MARCATO AND TOTTA’S WORDS
Coach Ale Lodi hugs everyone in the locker room, before going out for the usual press conference he takes a few minutes to metabolize, talk to the team and his capable collaborators (Davide Giazzon for the scrum and Joe Van Niekerk for the defense). A lost derby hurts, in the championship semi-final it hurts terribly. A pain too strong to handle for a coach from Rovigo on the most difficult bench in the city.
When he comes out he shakes hands, heads to the meeting area used as a press room, he takes the chairs for the reporters, sets up the desk, a surreal scene. The fixed gazeThe shining eyesat a certain point he can’t even speak (he stops twice), he wants to cry, he holds back. We understand the moment, and for several seconds there is an unreal silence, in the background the singing of the Petrarchini celebrating in the changing rooms. A boulder devours himfind some words of circumstance so as not to blame anyone, because a captain does not abandon the ship. Chapeau.
“The biggest regret is due to the lack of a solution to the game – admits coach Ale Lodi – on our mistakes we gave away points that were too easy, and however, at 0-14, the ability to return to the match, and the second half in the lead, shows that this group he has grown mentally, he has always been consistent throughout the season, when you lose by two points I can’t say anything to the boys, they left everything on the pitch. Clearly there were mistakes that allowed Padova to win, but I can’t say anything to the players. The public wants Rovigo like this, they also want to see them win, we wanted to give this satisfaction to all the people who were there today, for us, the players, the club, the president, the public. We regret not having achieved this objective.”
Then a long silence from Ale Lodi “…We’re so sorry, but I think the public can be proud of this group of players”. Bersaglieri who would have thrown themselves into the fire for the coach from Rovigo, also did so, but it wasn’t enough. Unfortunately sport is cruel, it gives and takes away due to details.
The Bersaglieri gave much more than what was humanly and physically possible, this is beyond doubt. “They rightly went to the final, thanks to Petrarca. Sometimes the result clouds judgment, if we look at the season at how much we have grown, we have overcome difficult moments, injuries, and many situations. We have always responded with work.” Thanks Ale.
Giorgio Achilli
