LECCE – “If we don’t find a road, we will build one”, is the phrase attributed to Hannibal in view of the arduous (successful) task of crossing the Alps; and Giampaolo’s thoughts on the eve of the match against Monza are not far from those of the Carthaginian leader:
“In defense I have my men numbered. I hope for good luck, maybe we’ll figure it out.”
The situation is indeed not simple. The injury of Gaspar (who will return at the end of February) is a problem for Lecce, but it is not the only problem when analyzing the infirmary situation: Banda he underwent surgery due to a fractured ankle bone (he will return at the end of January); Gallo he is unavailable due to an injury to his hamstring (he should be back at the end of December) the latest is the injury of Pierret for an overload in the right thigh (back available at the end of December) also also Ramadan it’s not at the top.
An uncomfortable situation that the team must manage in a direct clash. All championship matches are important, but some have greater weight, Lecce-Monza is one of them. Two teams fighting for survival, the match is not decisive (we are only in the sixteenth matchday), but it is significant.
The absence of Gasparmeanwhile, impose the forced choice of Joan central, alongside Baschirotto. The coach explains:
“We are counted in the number of players. Those who play have to play a great game and I hope so because otherwise we will have to scrape the bottom of the barrel. I hope for good luck, maybe we can invent it. We have to play a game of content despite the absences and overcome moments like this in the best possible way.”
It is possible that the coach will also choose to bet on Berisha.
“Berisha is fine, he is a player I am counting on. He has many characteristics, he knows how to counter, he also has a vertical football thought. He’s a good player, he’s fine. That’s one more since I arrived. He can play in all three roles in midfield, playmaker, midfielder, midfielder. He is a player who can do everything.”
In midfield there is a Ramadani not in full shapein the last few races he was replaced:
“Ramadani has some back problems which he manages, he had a visit this week but then he always trained. He has important characteristics, then if he is replaced, this is part of the game.”
Krstovic e Rebic Together. A possible confirmation:
“I already said that we can play with one or the other or both. If I say whether I play with both or with one of the two, I give my opponents an advantage.”
There is also one of the available attackers Samsonwhich however has purely offensive characteristics. The coach will decide whether to use it or not based on the progress of the match:
“He is a player with purely offensive technical quality, he needs to be freed from defensive work and when you think this can be done he has his uses. Instead, when even a defensive attitude is worn out because this is not part of his physical characteristics.”
Monza arrives in Lecce with a big absentee
“Monza is a team built to play football. I have seen several matches and I know some players. It’s a team that played with a very physical player in the air (he’s talking about Djuric, unavailable tomorrow) and will now find a suitable replacement. He will find something for the aerial solution, maybe they will do something different, I don’t know… there are Caprari or Maldini. There aren’t many players with Djuric’s characteristics.”
There is one thing that absolutely must not be missing:
“The mental aspect is decisive above all else. That trumps everything. There’s a new game tomorrow! And to play the game you have to be mentally clean.”
