Collecchio, 7 March 2024 - Fabio Pecchia spoke during a press conference at the Mutti Training Center ahead of the clash with Brescia.

MARAN HAS BROUGHT SOLIDITY

“We will face a solid side, aside from the win over Palermo, they are the product of an expert coach who has brought stability. The right word is solid. Maran? We faced each other several times like at Verona, in some derbies. He has a lot of experience, he knows how to prepare for games. You see the squad on the pitch and they have worked well, they know how to face you. He has good ideas about developing play and possession, but there is also awareness about the work off the ball. I am expecting a game of a certain level. We need to attack and defend, the opposition raises the level of performance and my squad needs to do what needs to be done when Brescia tries to come get us, we need to be good at moving the ball or in other situations. If we can be good at staying in their half, we can do things differently. The fact remains that we will face a side that can do both, ultra-offensive pressing as well as catching on the break because they have the skills to do so'.

SQUAD CONDITIONS

“Apart from Circati being suspended, everyone is in the group. Ansaldi was involved for a good part today and Bernabé is recovered. The whole squad is available. I have a group of 24 players, all with the right focus and desire. Balogh and Osorio, as well as others, are doing well. Valenti's condition is improving, we have 3 central players along with Delprato, and the midfield is not only made up of Balogh and Osorio. Speaking only about them isn't right, there's also Valenti who is clearly improving. 10 games to go? They all count for three points, like the rest have done. Everything else, everything that is behind them, we have to shake off. I want to squad be focused and apply themselves with the desire to play for the three points. They are free to have their emotions, but they should be living in this way. The aim is to play to win. We have equalled last year's wins, but there is still a lot to be done'.

PLAYING TO WIN

“My philosophy? Play to win. Then we take into account that there are games we could also lose or draw. Our past experience is strong with a group that has stayed put because that experience is still within us and we hold it close. We wanted to build something from that, now we are at a point in the season where that image must stay in mind. Because we need to keep our feet on the gas and push because there is still a lot to do. And it should be done with joy, the desire to be out on the pitch, with emotion and lightness. I'm insisting on this work because my boys want to play and what better occasion to enjoy oneself than a game of football? Del Piero and the coaching course? I can only hope that these two days have piqued their curiosity on the topic. This is already a huge achievement, provoking interest in those who could do the job is an important motivator. When one is curious, one can grow, improve, and build a career'.