Collecchio, 16 September 2023 - Crociato coach, Fabio Pecchia’s comments during the pre-match press conference in the press room at the Mutti Training Center in Collecchio ahead of the match against Catanzaro.
THE GROUP ARE FEELING GOOD. “The break is different for us than the others because a good few players go away so we have to stay in contact with the national teams. The rest of the group have worked and are all in good condition. The last one to arrive is Osorio. They have returned well, some with some satisfaction, some with some bitterness but they are all here. On Sunday, I’ll have the entire group at my disposal, except Anas who returned with a fever. But nothing serious. The group is in good shape, when I have to make choices I will take these situations into account. Some have played and are ready with the match rhythm, some have been in the national team just training. But they are all well, Osorio can play and Man will be there.”
WE CAN BE LETHAL. “A match between the leaders? The league table is what counts. I am not surprised to see Catanzaro at the top because so much has been said about the newly promoted teams. But this is even more confirmation of what can happen in a team that starts with coaching continuity, knowing the coach, and coming from a season where they only know victory. And this atmosphere can be raucous, so you’ll see our value on the field. We’re facing a team that want to play, and play with a serenity that comes from winning week-in week-out for a year. This serenity allows them to make some good plays. We will have to counter them in everything, both in the non-possession phase, but especially when we have the ball. We'll have to have clear ideas. It's a good test, a good test because Catanzaro want to play football. And we will do the same, whoever has more strength and quality will have the advantage. If the match opens up, we'll see, we also have the quality to be lethal and hurt the opponents'.
A GOOD TEST TO DEMONSTRATE HOW CONVINCING WE CAN BE. “I want to see a convincing team, from a technical and tactical point of view, but also mentally. Because the atmosphere is conducive, the team is conducive, they have ideas and an identity and they want to play football. They’ve worked well, the team is very calm, very assured and for this very reason, I want to see a convincing performance on all fronts. Nothing counts beyond the league table, there will be two teams in front of us that want to play, want to dominate, and want to carry out their playing principles. For us, it's a good test, after the one we had in the derby.”
VALENTIN MIHAILA. “Mihaila’s goal in a Parma shirt? It will come. He performed well with little time against Pisa, he built on that performance against Reggiana. Now he’s coming back from the national team with satisfaction, his involvement in the second match was important, beyond just scoring the goal. This should keep him calm, I am happy because he is finding continuity. And a goal is the next logical step considering his behaviour.”
INGLESE AND CYPRIEN. “Shirt numbers for Inglese and Cyprien? The two boys are working at Collecchio, they’re under contract, it’s a matter of respect. They’re not in the group we’re working with. Nothing has changed, absolutely.
