There are no longer any doubts in the heads of Paolo Vanoli and Giovanni Stroppa. They know perfectly well what their players can give, they know the secrets of their opponents in detail, they are well aware of which moves can decide the final and they also know that one episode can be enough to make the difference. Ladies and gentlemen, it’s Venezia-Cremonese: after the 0-0 draw in the first leg, the balance has shifted in favor of Vanoli’s team, which tonight only has to try not to lose, while Stroppa’s team will only be able to celebrate by winning. Let’s not expect any surprises, but only that exchange of blows worthy of a Rocky film which was a little lacking in the first leg.
the duels
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With two 3-5-2s facing each other, single duels could shift the balance. Three defenders against two attackers, on the wings more offensive elements than covering, in the middle quality and quantity to spare with the two playmakers Tessmann and Castagnetti directing the traffic, hindering each other and trying to solve it with their attacks from outside the area. Vanoli puts Zampano back on the left in place of Bjarkason and has to choose a midfielder between Andesen, Lella and Ellertsson. Stroppa could focus on the heavy attack, with Tsadjout next to Coda, moving Vazquez back in place of Buonaiuto, hoping for a slightly more protagonist evening for Mudo compared to the first leg. The defenses are fundamental: Venezia’s three cabinets, beaten in the playoffs only by the (irrelevant) own goal against Palermo, are ready to raise the Mose in front of Joronen, who was decisive in the first leg; the Cremonese trio, less beaten in the championship (32 goals, plus 3 by Catanzaro in the playoffs), is counting on the recovery of Antov, who came out with cramps on Thursday and is a true modern arm, to be able to keep the bogeyman Pohjanpalo at bay: the top scorer of championship has not yet scored in the playoffs (not even last year) and has even lost those for the European Championship with Finland. The real tactical difference between the two finalists is in the development of the game: Venezia’s is more vertical and physical, Cremonese’s is more horizontal and imaginative. And it’s not a detail.
the technicians
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The last conference on the eve saw Vanoli and Stroppa praise their teams for what they have done so far. On the field, in recent days, they haven’t had much time to work, but they have paid particular attention to their heads. Some excerpts from Vanoli: “We will have to be perfect and control everything in our hands. We need another great performance, as we have already managed to do, and take advantage of the support of the fans. The boys must be proud of what they have done, but without ever being satisfied.” And Stroppa, who recalls the feat of two years ago in Pisa against Monza (who however won the first leg): “I have to count 16 players, not just the first 11, and luckily I have a large squad. Can matches be won with substitutions. Is the pressure on us? No, can we play carefree and lightly. When I arrived at Cremonese the team was 11th, now we’re playing in the Serie A final.”
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the environment
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Obviously sold out at Penzo, the 11,150 tickets burned for days. Some complaints from Cremona for the only 1,001 available, which also evaporated in half an hour: there is the risk that someone will show up without a coupon. The list of VIPs in the stands is noteworthy: Minister Abodi is also announced – a leap into the past for him… – with the mayor Brugnaro and the prefect, plus the president Balata of Lega B with the sponsor Lucia Salmaso of Bkt for the awards ceremony. And then many insiders and former players such as Pippo Maniero, who will greet the fans in the park next to the stadium, who will be able to have their photo taken with the winner’s Nexus cup. President Duncan Niederauer, who is very attentive to the cabal, should find a place in the home corner: three years ago, after the final won over Cittadella, he took a dive into the canal behind the grandstand. Will he still make it?
