05/19/2024 10.49am
Following the draw of the Serie C playoffs (click here for the complete scoreboard) who paired La. in the quarter-finals Torres against Benevento, the president of Sassari spoke to our microphones Stefano Udassi. Below is the former rossoblù striker’s comment on the Campania team and Alfonso’s team Greek.
On Benevento
“We finally have a point of reference. In terms of logistics or opponents, we didn’t care which team we would have drawn, this is football at a high level and for us these challenges must just be an extra stimulus. Benevento is a very important place, which I followed closely throughout the regular season and in the last playoff matches. It has three factors that can make the difference: a coach of great depth and quality like Gaetano Auteri, a crowd that is an added value in a stadium where it is not easy for anyone to play and then, finally, a top-level squad. We are talking about an environment used to playing in Serie A and other categories until very recently. For us it is an exciting and beautiful challenge to experience, we are pleased to have brought Torres back to breathing football of a certain type again. Having said that, I am convinced that my team is still hungry and I am convinced that we will play great. The fact remains undoubted that we are meeting one of the favorite teams for promotion to Serie B. Their strength lies in an offensive department made up of names that are worth more than just Serie C and we must experience this highly prestigious match with the desire and the tenacious character of someone who wants to demonstrate their value to everyone.”
Memories of Benevento
“As a player, the first memory of Benevento that comes to mind is the return, under Leonardi’s management, from a bad knee injury. I had suffered a rupture of the medial collateral, the coach wanted me on the pitch at all costs and after just over a month he put me back in the team even though I wasn’t at my best. We were coming off a few defeats in a row and Torres needed me, we played at home and won 1-0 with Langella’s goal assisted by me. Then I remember that at the beginning of the 2000s there was a long negotiation between me and Benevento, then in the end no solution was found and I decided to stay in Sardinia. As fate would have it, a few weeks later there was an away match against them and I received a barrage of important boos. They are good memories though, come on. This is football.”
Homecoming scoreboard?
“How much does it weigh to always have the return leg at home, even in the event of a possible passage to the semi-finals and finals? I’ll tell you after the two matches against Benevento whether it’s an advantage or not (laughs, ed.). First let’s think about getting through this round and then we’ll see. We don’t do these calculations or abstract reasoning, we only think about the concrete, the moment and giving everything. We want to cradle our dream for as long as possible.”
Roberto Pinna
