There is less and less left until the debut of the Torres Of Alfonso Greek in the playoffs of Serie C. A historic challenge scheduled for tomorrow 21 May at 8.30pm at the Ciro Vigorito stadium against Benevento, with Scotto and his teammates who will face a tough team full of quality like that of the Campania team coached by coach Gaetano Auteri. To learn more about Sassari’s next opponents, we interviewed our OttoChannel colleague Silvia Lantellawhich closely follows the Benevento and told us how they arrive Ciciretti and companions in the challenge against Torres.
Benevento qualified for the second national round of the playoffs by beating a difficult Triestina. How do Auteri’s men get to the match against Torres?
”He arrives there with the certainties gained in the second half in Trieste and in the ninety minutes of the return match at Ciro Vigorito. In the first half of the first leg there were limitations in midfield and up front. In the second half Auteri corrected his shot, finding greater certainty from him, and it is precisely from this that we will need to start again. Through the qualities of individuals such as Ciciretti, who proved to be a guarantee, and Perlingieri, who is young but paradoxically proved to be more ready than some of the big names who then remained sitting on the bench. In my opinion he gets there with the certainties given not only by the unity of the game, but also by the quality of the individuals who can make the difference in matches in which the teams are equal.”
Unlike the other three matches in the second national round of the playoffs, the one between Benevento and Torres will be played between two teams that have not faced each other this season. How will this factor affect the race?
”Sometimes the matches within a championship can influence what are totally different matches such as the playoffs. In my opinion, this factor will give greater spectacularity to the match, between teams that have obviously studied each other, but with their heads clear of previous situations and without having to think about a clash they had during the regular season. But, in my opinion, the ninety minutes of the second leg will be the decisive ones overall.”
However, how did the square take the fact of having to cross paths with Torres?
“There is awareness that we will face a strong opponent. All the teams, having reached this point in the competition, are strong and fearsome. Neither the most difficult nor the simplest team is considered. The awareness is that we will face a team that plays good football, but at the same time that concedes something. We are ready to experience a match between two attacking teams, this also gave us a lot of enthusiasm in seeing how Benevento will approach.”
Speaking of approach, what do you expect Torres from Benevento?
“We don’t expect a management approach from Torres, because not even Auteri did it against Triestina. If you compare the rossoblù and Benevento, which as the two coaches also said are similar teams, the giallorossi have always attacked and have never managed. I’m sure that Torres will do the same, it’s unthinkable to manage 180 minutes, clearly an advantage remains an advantage, but Greco’s boys will try to cause damage starting tomorrow.”
Which Benevento players should Scotto and his teammates fear the most in view of this double match?
“I don’t like talking about players in terms of the defensive department. Paleari, the goalkeeper, is very strong between the posts despite some difficulties in his exits. The defense is very well deployed and all the players are equal regardless of who will play, in this sense Berra and Cappellini should be a certainty. In midfield the key man could be Nardi, who in the two matches against Triestina was not the same as he was in the championship. Given the way Torres plays, he can do well. Even Improta, to remain in the central area of the pitch, could be one of the most dangerous in view of tomorrow’s match. The attack is full of strong players, like Ciciretti or Lanini, but I also add Perlingieri to these who in my opinion will be able to have two good matches”.
However, what aspect or player of Torres is most feared in Benevento?
“More than a single player, it’s the unity of Torres’ play that can put Benevento in difficulty. In the championship, the Giallorossi have always played against opponents who close down and create problems in making their opponents find space. In the other two groups there are proactive teams who play more offensive football than in group C. In the southern group there is a more wait-and-see game. With Triestina it wasn’t a walk in the park for the Giallorossi, precisely because they found themselves faced with a team that doesn’t wait but that proposes. Of course, during the season similar opponents faced each other, but not so frequently. So this greater intensity and danger, given not so much by the individuals but more by the ability to dribble and a proactive attitude, can be a problem for Benevento. This is an aspect that is very intriguing in view of tomorrow’s match, because the Giallorossi will have to face a match in a totally different way compared to what they did during the championship.”
Considering that the Giallorossi only played two days ago, how does Benevento fare in terms of athleticism? Will they be unavailable?
“In addition to the suspended Pinato, Auteri has recovered Terranova. I don’t think the coach will risk it from the first minute, Cappellini and Viscardi had some problems but nothing serious. I can say that everyone is basically fine, Auteri didn’t want to reveal the cards in the press conference. We will need to understand how the coach will evaluate the first leg. Because he said one thing, namely that the analysis will not be on 90 minutes but on 180. We will need to understand if he wants to shoot the best shot in the Vigorito match or in the return match at Vanni Sanna. If he were to fire the shot immediately he will have to reconfirm all those who played with Triestina. Ciciretti and Perlingieri have a slightly milder condition, we will have to understand if the trident will be played immediately with the two of them together with Lanini, or if one of them will be saved for Saturday. Everything will depend on the importance he wants to give to Vigorito’s match tomorrow. The starting line-up is the one that took to the field in the last match against Triestina and the choices are conditioned precisely by that eleven. On a technical level there is no doubt that for Auteri, the best team is the one seen in that first half.”
In closing, what atmosphere will there be at Vigorito for the match against Torres?
“On Saturday against Triestina there were around 6,000 fans, I believe this trend will be maintained also considering that the match will be played on Tuesday in the middle of the week. But the beautiful thing that was seen in the last race was that the curve was full, in other circumstances the fans were divided into the various sectors, while this time what was striking was that the curve was full. The environment was nice and warm and I imagine that the same climate will be felt tomorrow.”
Andrea Olmeo
