The post-match statements from coach Michele Pazienza
THE MATCH – «I haven’t seen a team since twice. In the first half we started very strong. We conceded an avoidable goal but we maintained our presence in the opponent’s half of the field. In the second half the quality of the plays changed. In the first half the crosses were not up to par, in the second half D’Ausilio’s goal came from a cross. We dared, putting Russo on the left and Sgarbi on the right. Avellino tried to win the match from the first minute. For what we produced, I believe that the boys fully deserved to progress to the next round also thanks to the support of the fans who lent a hand from the first to the 95th.”
THE RHYTHMS OF THE SECOND HALF – «The rhythm was also there in the first half otherwise it would be difficult to keep the opposing team in their half of the pitch. This means that the team maintained a very high pace. In the second half the characteristics changed with depth players.”
THE BALANCE TO BE FOUND – «In the Catania match there was no Avellino who gave up. There was the unknown of the pause and the form. To adopt the 4-3-1-2 you need a lot of skill. We showed up in Catania having no certainties about our physical condition. Adopting such a gaming system right away would have put the kids in difficulty. On the return leg we dared to add an extra attacker. The team showed up in the half field with a certain intensity. When I say that this team deserved to progress to the next round it is because they wanted it.”
THE CHANGES – «We needed more push on the outside and width. By inserting very specific characteristics we managed to find the spaces that led us to win the race.”
WHAT DO YOU NEED FOR THE TOP? – «We need what was missing during the season: continuity. Tonight we will keep the joy of the race. Tomorrow morning we will work to prepare for Tuesday’s match.”
THE SGARBI COMPETITION – «He is a very young player. We always expect an enlightening play from Sgarbi. I’m not interested in him, I’m interested in him continuing to play, making his characteristics available to the team.”
THE RETURN – «If we think about the play-off format we won’t get out of it. We adapt by thinking one race at a time. Now we have to see how we present ourselves at the pitch tomorrow.”
THE VICENZA – «It’s a semi-final. We will find a strong team and the days to prepare it will be few. Two strong teams will clash. We’ll think about it starting tomorrow.”
Daniele Liotti’s statements
The goal that changes the game – «Catania were a tough opponent, we did well in the second half to have that reaction and that desire that we all wanted, from the coach to the team to the fans. Catania’s lead could have broken our legs, but little by little we managed to get out of it.”
The change of gear in the second half – «We changed the formation and Pazienza told us to believe in it, we wanted to redeem the result of the first leg. We made some mistakes, perhaps due to too much desire, but we showed it later in the second half. We believed in it and we succeeded.”
The Goal – «I looked for it, on the left, I wanted to do something good. Even in the first half I tried to make some plays but it wasn’t working well. Then luckily the goal arrived.”
Semifinal with Vicenza – «It’s a tough team, but we are Avellino, we have a squad capable of competing. And we will give it our all. Each match is a story in itself, against Vicenza it will be a new match. The premiere in front of our audience, on Tuesday, will be the opportunity to hear again those roars that we heard tonight.”
