Here’s what the coach had to say after this evenings 1-0 victory over Empoli:
“I asked the lads for a performance full of willpower to get a result. They deserve praise despite the difficulties, particularly the two injuries to Gervinhoand Dimarco. Empoli are still in the top 10 when it comes to possession and the lads did really well, it wasn’t easy. It’s a shame that we suffered some injuries. Since the start, Gervinho has been dealt with in a way to avoid injuries, such as leaving him out for the Napoli game where there was some criticism for not playing him. You need to assess the physical and mental condition of every player and we now hope that it is nothing serious for both Gervinho and Dimarco. “10 points after seven games? I would’ve given everything for this considering our schedule. However, the lads fully deserve to be where they are and they know what it’ll take to avoid relegation – fighting in every game regardless of the opponent. Results are often linked to desire and the lads are surprising me, however, I never had any doubts. I see them training every day. There is a mix of experience and youth, with hunger and desire among all of them. A sense of group unity isn’t easy to find, especially when there are a lot of changes. We must now just keep going and not feel satisfied – we haven’t achieved anything yet. “Rigoni is getting back to his best and his most recent performance helped bring home the result. Ceravolo? He is a different player to Inglese. He attacks spaces and leads from the front and by playing more he’ll get back to his peak condition. He showed a lot of sacrifice tonight and spent a lot of energy. I am really pleased with his performance. “Barillà put in a brilliant end to the season last year and played a key part in helping us gain promotion. I’m pleased that he is now also proving himself in Serie A. As for Sepe, I had him with me at Lanciano and I have no doubts about his ability. He’s arrived here after a two-and-a-half year period without much playing time, but the club did well to get him here straight away so that he could train and play in the friendlies. This was how he got into the best shape possible.” Coach Roberto D’Aversa was in front of the cameras ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Empoli, here’s what he had to say:
“At the end of training today Sierralta had a problem, meaning he won’t be in the matchday squad. This also applies to Inglese, who hasn’t quite managed to recover from a knock he picked up against Napoli. Biabiany is back, however. Ceravolo has been used to playing from the start. It’s not easy for him playing in this new role but he’s growing: he did quite well against Cagliari and had an opportunity to score. I have no qualms in placing my trust in him even though he hasn’t played a lot in Serie A. “Empoli are continuing with a project that started five or six years ago with their principles and style of play. They showed it last year when they deserved to win the league and they’re showing it this year in Serie A: they’re in the top ten in terms of ball possession. Our path, however, has been different with lots of changes. We’ve had to start all over again every year and it’s not easy to find continuity when so many changes are made. I believe that it is a game that could have any result, it will be a difficult one. We need to respect the opponent because they play good football and we also need to show the same humility that was seen in recent games. We will be trying to get the three points at all costs. Given it’s a direct match-up, balance will be needed to get a result. “The two defeats last year? In the first game we missed a penalty and deserved to dtaw. The return fixture against them was the worst game I’ve had since I’ve been here, but we were reborn after the bad defeat and went on to have an extraordinary run. It’s not easy to win for three seasons in a row and there’s important work behind this success,with the club itself, the staff and the players all making a contribution. A huge amount of credit also has to go to this year’s team: we’ve come up against three of the big boys and we are in a good position in the league. Tomorrow we need to go onto the pitch and display the humility of a team that is looking to avoid the drop. Empoli are good on the ball and drew with Milan in the week, so we know how difficult the game will be. “Last year we had a precise goal and that was to reach the play-offs. We were able to achieve more than this, however. We did try and get a result against Napoli: we always try and get a result whoever we’re up against. But you can’t make the kind of mistakes we did against a team that last season fought to win the Scudetto right until the very end. But we need to take into account that Napoli will also be fighting to win the title this year, while we’re looking to retain our place in Serie A. “We need to be good at putting results to one side even when we have won, such as against Inter and Cagliari. We need to clearly analyse errors when we lose. What disappoints me about the defeat against Napoli is that we didn’t do everything we could have done to make it difficult for them. Tomorrow, we need to take to the pitch with self-confidence and belief in our ability. “We need to be solid when defending.This will also be the case tomorrow against the 4-3-2-1 system. Although they will play the same system as Cagliari, it will be a different game because of their quality on the ball.We also need to be good on the ball because the best form of defence is having possession of the ball. “Ciciretti hadn’t played for a long time, it was normal that he could find it difficult. The most important thing is that he played without any issues for 60 minutes. I think Deiola had a good game against Napoli. Discussion was about the team as a whole rather than individuals.” Napoli - Parma
Stadio San Paolo Wednesday 26th September 2018 20:00 UK The train journey south to Napoli yesterday was one full of a Parma side bursting with confidence. Roberto D’Aversa take his side to the San Paulo coming off the back of two wins on the bounce, having conquered the Guiseppe Meazza as well as comfortably seeing off Cagliari at the Tardini last time out. D’Aversa acknowledged to get three wins in a row will be tough but not impossible, “It won’t be easy but nothing is impossible” The Parma coach also hinted that changes will probably be made to tonight’s starting line-up, due to playing three games in a week, the back four should remain relatively unchanged with Bruno Alves once again leading from the back, it will be in midfield and attack we may see some changes, with the coach announcing that Amato Ciciretti is fit and ready to go, while Leo Stulac should be back to full match fitness after struggling on with the flu over the weekend, as for Gervinho, despite the Ivorian’s incredible displays of late, he’s still being assessed daily as he nears full match fitness. Carlo Ancelotti hosts his former club knowing victory is so important to keep tabs on Juventus at the top of the table, The Partenopei know they can’t afford to let Juventus stretch their lead at the top any further at such an early stage before the two meet at the weekend. Napoli comfortably saw off Torino last time out, with Lorenzo Insigne bagging a brace, Parma will have their hands full tonight trying to contain the little Neapolitan as he leads the Napoli attack along with either Dries Mertens or Arkadiusz Milik. The last time Parma visited Napoli was back in December 2014, where the home side came out on top thanks to goals from Duvan Zapata and Dries Mertens. Keep an eye out for Roberto Inglese the Parma forward is in scintillating form and currently on loan from Napoli, he will be determined to put on a display in front of the Napoli faithful to show what their missing. @Solo_Parma @giovannid86 The coach was in front of the microphones yesterday, here's what he has to say:
“We’re coming into the Napoli game after a great victory and a wonderful performance. However, a very strong team now awaits us. One must consider that only a few days have passed since Saturday’s strenuous display, however, playing at the San Paolo can spur us on despite the lack of time in between games. It’s hard to shine from a physical point of view when playing two games in quick succession, however, the most important thing is the mental aspect of our game. We’re coming up against a team that pushed Juventus for the title right until the very end last season and who are of the strongest sides in the league. “Ancelotti is one of the best and he is taking Napoli forward with his own ideas. They performed really well against Torino and they have enormous potential within the team. This year, the Coach has given the players a bit more freedom out on the pitch. It will not be easy but nothing is impossible. It is down to us to make it difficult for them and to try and get a result. “There will be some changes compared to Saturday. I sent a few players to warm up against Cagliari but I had to make changes due to fitness issues. With three games in a week, you have to make changes. I have alternatives in attack and defence, but we’re struggling a bit in midfield with just four players. I will make my decisions based on fitness, conscious of not looking to risk anyone and also taking into account that we have another game on Sunday. For now, I am looking to play the best team possible tomorrow, also considering that Grassi still isn’t available. “Ancelotti has proved himself on the European stage and he has triumphed way beyond just his style of play. He is now using a 4-4-2, but considering their last formation it is more of a 4-2-4. I had the fortune of meeting him when I was at the Milan Academy. It’s an honour to now face him as a Coach. However, what counts is putting in a top performance and getting a good result in a difficult game. “The last match was different from a motivational perspective after winning against Inter. It will certainly be simpler against Napoli, although they have some top players that can play between the lines and we must do well to remain tight and compact. Tactically, we prepare for each game based on the opposition. It will not be easy but we’ll do our best to make their lives difficult. “Are changes a risk? I must think about playing a team that is in the best physical shape. Continuity is always the ideal thing but I must assess everything after two games in quick succession. We can’t risk any further injuries. “We’re treating Gervinho in a special way and this is helping to get the very best out of him. He’s intelligent and knows his body very well. He came off the best against Spal and created two great changes in just 20 minutes thanks to his quality – he is a devastating player. As for the defence, they performed well against both Inter and Cagliari – with Dimarco coming in for both. We are well covered in both defence and attack. It is in midfield were we are lacking but we’ll not look for any excuses.” “Stulac was not at full match fitness for our last game. He had the flu and he was also the first to go on international duty – therefore, he hasn’t trained consistently. He put in a superb performance against an opponent that opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation and looked to mark man-to-man. Ciciretti? He is ready from a physical point of view. We’ll wait and see as we must consider that this would be his first game after a long absence.” @Solo_Parma @giovannid86 Roberto D’Aversa spoke to the press this afternoon ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Cagliari, here’s what the coach had to say......
We are full of enthusiasm having done something important in our last match, but tomorrow will be a difficult game: Cagliari are a good team. We have to approach the match with the same attitude that we’ve shown in our previous games. We have to be proactive and go onto the pitch with a great deal of hunger and unity: this should be in our DNA if we want to avoid going down. “The injury situation? Grassi trained yesterday with the team but didn’t feel quite right when warming up today. As a precaution, he won’t be part of the matchday squad. Gobbi has recovered from his problem last Saturday, Ciciretti is back, while Stulac trained both yesterday and today with the team. “Cagliari? We’ve watched lots of videos of them: like all Maran’s teams they are well-organised, put pressure on you and give you little time to think. It will be important to win personal battles and try to be first to second balls. They get the ball forward quickly, so when they play direct it’s important to try and win the first ball and pick up the second. “We got an important result in our last match but we can’t allow ourselves to think that our next game will be easy. We have to go on the pitch aware that it will be a very difficult game and we will have to try to get the three points because points picked up against these types of teams are doubly important. We need to consider Cagliari as a mid-table team. I wouldn’t put them in the group of teams that will be fighting relegation: they have invested a lot and managed to retain the services of Pavoletti and Barella. Bradaric and Srna also arrived, and these players have excellent qualities. We have to give everything to get the three points and go onto the pitch with a determined attitude. “How will tomorrow’s match be tactically? Our preparations depend on the characteristics of our opponent. Inter like to keep possession, while Cagliari have a different style of play and utilise their attacking potential. They have the physicality of Pavoletti and the pace of Farias and Sau, while they also have Joao Pedro who can threaten between the lines. “They play less on the floor, with a more direct style of play that can keep you pinned back. We need to do well on the second ball and remain solid despite their play. Individual duels will be key. They are a physical team that fight for every ball. “A larger presence in midfield? It is not a question of our playing system but more of distance. We have to stay tight on long balls, but this is something we’ve done well in all of our matches so far. However, this time we have to take into account that they have a player in Pavoletti who is strong on crosses, therefore, we should try to stop them coming in. “Three matches in a week? I don’t like the term turnover, because all of these lads deserve to play when you look at how they train. I choose 11 players dependent on how to get the best out of each game. For now, I am only thinking about Cagliari, then I will assess injuries and fitness, but for now, I am not thinking about our other games. The biggest difficulty is that of thinking positive. Considering our last two games were against important opposition, there is now the risk of thinking that this game will be more simple, however, it’s not like that. We must head out onto the pitch knowing there are some hidden pitfalls and we must try to avoid them. “Doubts on who to play up front? Having more players can give you different playing options, but the most important thing is to make sure that all players are in the best physical shape. What is shown in a match comes from what you put in on a day-to-day basis. Everyone benefits when you work with more quality players. The only problems we have are in midfield, but I don’t like to make excuses. Those who play on Saturday will 100 percent be able to get a result.” The Crociati faithful will undoubtedly still be on a high as they welcome Cagliari to the Tardini on Saturday afternoon. Parma will be hoping to build on last weekends surprise victory over Inter at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza thanks to Federico Di Marco’s wonder strike securing Roberto D’Aversa’s sides first three points of the season. Coming off the back of some impressive displays against Juventus and Inter, Parma will see this game as a chance leapfrog their opponents and put some distance between themselves and the relegation zone. Despite losing five of their last seven on the road, Saturday’s visitors come into this game unbeaten in three having drawn with both Sassuolo and Milan and defeated Atalanta. Like Parma, Rolando Maran will see this as an opportunity to climb the table as they aim to reach the top half. The last time Parma welcomed Cagliari to the Tardini was the 14th December 2014 where they played out a rather miserable 0-0 draw to forget. Both sides have produced some solid displays this season and there won’t be much to choose from between them, Parma will once again look to Gervinho to light up the home crowd with his pace as he has already caused both Inter and Juventus major problems so far this season. Rolando Maran has a full squad to choose from when the Sardinians come to town on Saturday. Parma will go relatively unchanged, as D’Avrsa will play his usual 4-3-3 with, Luigi Sepe in goal, a back four of Iacopni, Alves, Gagliolo and last week’s hero Di Marco, Barilla, Stulac and Rigoni will be the three in the middle while the exciting front three of Gervinho, Inglese and Di Gaudio will lead the line for the hosts. @Solo_Parma @giovannid86 |
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