Vicenza-Padua. Play offs, it’s derby night. But there is a risk of postponement due to bad weather

There is great anticipation for tonight’s derby at Menti which marks the debut of the shielded white in the playoffsbut on the match looms risk of postponement due to bad weather after the weather forecast for today speaks of heavy rainfall and possible flooding right in the stadium area. Yesterday theArpav issued a state of red alert and in the afternoon the Coc (municipal operations centre) of Vicenza met to take stock of the situation, postponing any decisions until lunchtime today.

However it may be, Padova is ready. «We must try in every way to be ourselves, underlines Oddo – and I say this because I have great faith in the boys, having had the opportunity to know them well. We have our own identity, I am convinced that we can play two great matches and my hope is to see on the pitch what we feel in training given that the emotional aspect also comes into play in the match.” The coach’s attention is entirely focused on his own home and the answer to those who ask him what his first sensation was at the moment of the draw is the clearest demonstration of this. «They are all strong teams, some in one way and another in another, with their own weapons and their own weaknesses, like us too. So I haven’t thought about anything because I’m very focused on my team.”

And the tenor does not change on other issues, such as the advantage of the two results out of three available that Padova can count on in this round. «It is for the purposes of the 180 minutes, but it is not something that should affect us, if anything we will think about it in the last five or ten minutes of the return match, not before. I only know that both teams are awaiting an important match. Everyone has their own problems, those who have played before have been warned or a bit of accumulated tiredness, those who haven’t played at match pace, but in the end we can’t go after all these things. We must focus completely on the concept – on all the aspects we can control and think only about giving our best on the pitch. Then many things can direct these matches, the details make the difference and the one who makes the least mistakes wins.”

INTELLIGENCE SIGNAL
The same goes for Vicenza. «A very expert, solid, strong and professional team. Coach Vecchi is adapting to the characteristics of his players, including the formation, and this is a sign of intelligence. We have great respect and we will play our cards with complete serenity. How do we get there? I am very confident, convinced that I have a team that can have its say. We worked a lot, well, serenely and with desire. We did it on numerous aspects, forcing our hand on our qualities because we have to put them on the field and I concentrate on putting Padova in a position to express themselves according to their characteristics.”
A thought about the previous play-off adventure that ended two years ago with the final lost in Palermo. «I don’t take anything from that experience with me – says Oddo – because it was a different year, with other teams and a different Padova in terms of characteristics».

THE CHOICES

Kirwan, Russini, Perrotta and Crescenzi are unavailable today. «Perrotta has a small muscular problem and Crescenzi has been able to train little. We have some problems with length at the back, but there is no shortage of alternatives.” Liguori. Bortolussi and Valente should form the offensive trio, in defense Delli Carri and Faedo are a mainstay with some more doubts on the flanks, while in midfield Crisetig should be supported by Fusi and Varas, with Cretella and Dezi possible alternatives. «I have no doubts – concludes the coach – about the starting eleven, but at the moment I need everyone and the boys know it».

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