«A lot has happened this year, but with my players we have always picked ourselves up – points out mister Alessandro Nesta after the feat of Palermo – This victory makes it clear that ours is a group with good guys. We were coming off three consecutive defeats and after a 4-0 defeat at home by Cosenza we came to win in Palermo with great courage and for me this is priceless: today I am the happiest coach in the world».
Was it a header?
«We took courage. Many teams could be scared in a situation like this, but instead we were thinking about victory, also because we had already achieved it in Venice, Bari and Catanzaro. Things can happen if you want them, but if you don’t want them, nothing comes.”
What did you say to the boys during half-time, with the team down by a goal?
«I told them to keep believing. Already in the first minutes of the match we had put Palermo in difficulty and we could have scored. This is a team that can put anyone in difficulty, even if there are opponents who have made us suffer a little more, especially those who play more closed.”
Did Palermo’s performance surprise you?
«We knew that Palermo is a team with excellent players, who can afford to bring in equally strong substitutes in the 70th minute. During the week we analyzed the videos of their previous matches and I saw an improved team. Then we know that Serie B is always a “slaughterhouse”: we lost 4-0 at home against Cosenza and today we won away from home against Palermo…”.
How do you maintain cohesion in a situation like this?
«Daily work is important, both when you win and when you lose. We have a squad that has had problems all year, but the boys have always responded well. It’s easy to say it now, but I also said it after the defeat against Cosenza. You have to be clear-headed in these situations, otherwise you risk shouting needlessly in frustration and ruining everything you’ve done. This year we had a lot of problems, but for me it was a good year.”
Did Portanova leave the field due to a physical problem?
«Yes, he had some problems but in reality it was nothing. He was tired and ran as much as others such as Melegoni and Bianco. I preferred to replace it as a precaution.”
Do you want to say a few words about Libutti?
«Those from Reggio Emilia know Lorenzo Libutti well. We know that he is a golden boy but behind this goodness of his there is also coldness because he hadn’t played for a long time and today he was very good. For us he is a security because he always manages to give you what you ask of him.”
Elvis Kabashi wanted to dedicate this victory to her…
«Okay, but I’m not dead. Usually the dedications are made to you when you die. I thank him very much, but I still cheat (laughs, ed.)…”.
At the end of the match he was the protagonist of a long embrace with the team manager Michele Malpeli…
«For us he is a fundamental figure within the team. Michele always helps the boys and all the staff when he feels a little down. For us he is a very important character.”
The ranking now sees Reggiana with a good margin from the relegation zone and 3 points from the playoffs…
«The last time I heard the word “playoff” we didn’t win anymore. Let’s think about saving ourselves when it comes, even on the last day. We are not ready for the playoffs.”
Vote for the best granata on the Palermo-Reggiana pitch
