Alessandro Nesta, coach of Reggiana, spoke at a press conference on the eve of the match against Palermo. These are his statements collected by TuttoReggiana.com: “The mood is not good because a defeat like that (the one against Cosenza, ed.) hurt everyone. The week was long because we started a day earlier than we should have to get together and recreate enthusiasm and the right spirit The kids are slowly finding their self-esteem again because playing without it is tough. Whoever plays makes mistakes, the difference is the reaction to the mistake: the team must get together and react to the problem.”
What did you mainly work on?
“We always pay attention to tactics but at this moment we need to work above all on the head: that’s where the difference makes. I told the players that the difference after a knockout is the reaction: I tried to convey this message. In my career I have been I’ve had surgery ten times and they’ve given me up for “dead” three times, the difference is all in how you react. We have to maintain our courage, now we can’t do anything else.”
The impression is that the team feels fear once they concede the goal
“I don’t think it’s fear: the games and the distances get out of hand for us. In Venice, after the opponents’ 2-0, we continued to play while maintaining our distance as if nothing had happened, then we were rewarded. We mustn’t let the match slip away from the hands and we have to react. The distances are too important for us and if we spread ourselves we struggle with everyone.”
Are you thinking about any lineup changes?
“We just have to think about reacting because trying something different with four days to go I don’t think brings any advantages. Tactics are important but the mind is fundamental: we must not get confused and we must do the simplest things possible. We must believe in it because only in this way we can make things happen. We need to understand the moments of the match, but I must say that when we changed formation during the match it created a bit of confusion. The solution for me is to understand when to bring in certain characteristics at the moment Right”.
Palermo?
“Palermo has certainly improved in distance and strength and in this final they lightened up a bit because they know they have to aim for the playoffs but I see them playing well and trying to do things. At home they will obviously try to win.”
Has the salvation quota moved?
“I don’t want to say anything because I’m being superstitious, but 40 points are certainly not enough. Whether there are two, three, four or seven points to be won, we must always give the best of what we have in our hearts and in our heads.”
Did patron Amadei’s criticisms surprise you?
“I read quickly, but I think everyone is free to express their discomforts, but I don’t have time to think if it makes me feel good or bad. I just know that I have to get the most out of this team.”
How do you explain these lapses in attention during the game?
“All the teams have had problems and we too have had them as newly promoted players, even though we have never lost more than two games in a row before Cosenza. Now we have to react because we can no longer afford to recover.”
Would he have signed at the start of the season to find himself in this position with four matchdays to go?
“At the beginning yes, but now no. The good thing is that we have always got back up and we have to do so now too.”
