It's only the fourth matchday of the season, but tomorrow night's match at the Via del Mare against Cagliari is Lecce's first relegation battle of the season. It'll be a tricky game against an opponent who's started well, and one that could revitalize the Giallorossi, still searching for their first win of the season.
Eusebio di Francesco, coach of the Salento team, described the match, which his colleague Pisacane has already described as a final, as follows: "If that were the case, then between now and the end of the tournament we'd still have thirty-five," commented the Lecce coach. "If I had to say it to boost the mood, I'd say it's a final, but for me it's not yet. It's an important match, yes, but let's not consider it a final. We're facing an experienced and well-organized opponent, one with huge experience with players like Mina and Luperto, as well as goalkeeper Caprile, who, despite his young age, plays like a veteran."
We'll need to capitalize on the double home match (Cagliari and Bologna) to try to climb the standings. Di Francesco emphasizes: "I don't want to make comparisons with last season; some players have changed, some of them from different tournaments, and they're adapting. Last Sunday against Atalanta, the team played well for almost the entire first half, producing, yes, but not finishing. We need to work on being more determined in front of goal, staying compact, determined in duels, and not losing our composure after conceding a goal."
But also a necessary point for the rest of the season: "Let's keep one thing in mind," Di Francesco continues: "In the end, only the result matters. It's therefore necessary to combine both: not only being good against opponents who then take home the result, but also being 'dirty' when needed, as could happen in tomorrow night's match."
Regarding the possibility of some changes, including changes to the offensive line, Di Francesco is explicit: "Changes could lead to confusion, and I'm not a coach accustomed to experimenting. It's essential to give the players some certainty; Camarda and Stulic as a pair could be a solution designed to improve the attack. But let's have faith in this team, without making hasty judgments."
(Unioneonline)