Gabriele Cioffi
UdineseDavide Nicola
Empoli
Meeting Highlights…ABOUT THE MATCH
I think that those who play sports also know that they have to win. It doesn't occur to me in the slightest that my players go on the pitch to lose. I'm not thinking about the next match but I'm focused on Empoli. Only by doing our things well can we achieve our goal. If we think about the aftermath, we will have doubts and fear. On Sunday we will have to use our heads because we are going to play against a team that is certainly on par with us in terms of motivation and wickedness, they have a coach who is used to this type of match and they have everything that is needed to put those playing at home in difficulty. It's like a semi-final, if you do well you'll go to the final, otherwise we'll be playing for third or fourth place. My players are very intelligent and they know it. We're going to play against a team that has important characteristics and in terms of our minds, fear shouldn't take over. I am demanding of them, not asking for victory but asking them to have good organisation and good ball possession to have the chance to try to win.
…PEREYRA
Pereyra is certainly a fundamental player for us, but like everyone else, I can't concentrate just on one player. They certainly need to be managed, on paper I see a lot of guys, but then I know that they need to be managed, I know what they can give me. I have to try to give the motivations for everyone and they certainly need to be managed. I know what Tucu can give me but in Lecce I liked the attitude of all the departments in Lecce and we have to do this to put them in difficulty.
…IMPROVEMENT
There is still a lot to improve, in Lecce in certain moments we went back to thinking on an individual level. We had moments in which one was applying pressure and the others were still. However, I see that on certain concepts, in both phases, the guys are starting to learn. Trying to manage the ball better helps us. I've seen some positive things but there's still a lot to work on.
Gabriele Cioffi
Manager on Udinese…ABOUT THE MATCH
I think that those who play sports also know that they have to win. It doesn't occur to me in the slightest that my players go on the pitch to lose. I'm not thinking about the next match but I'm focused on Empoli. Only by doing our things well can we achieve our goal. If we think about the aftermath, we will have doubts and fear. On Sunday we will have to use our heads because we are going to play against a team that is certainly on par with us in terms of motivation and wickedness, they have a coach who is used to this type of match and they have everything that is needed to put those playing at home in difficulty. It's like a semi-final, if you do well you'll go to the final, otherwise we'll be playing for third or fourth place. My players are very intelligent and they know it. We're going to play against a team that has important characteristics and in terms of our minds, fear shouldn't take over. I am demanding of them, not asking for victory but asking them to have good organisation and good ball possession to have the chance to try to win.
…PEREYRA
Pereyra is certainly a fundamental player for us, but like everyone else, I can't concentrate just on one player. They certainly need to be managed, on paper I see a lot of guys, but then I know that they need to be managed, I know what they can give me. I have to try to give the motivations for everyone and they certainly need to be managed. I know what Tucu can give me but in Lecce I liked the attitude of all the departments in Lecce and we have to do this to put them in difficulty.
…IMPROVEMENT
There is still a lot to improve, in Lecce in certain moments we went back to thinking on an individual level. We had moments in which one was applying pressure and the others were still. However, I see that on certain concepts, in both phases, the guys are starting to learn. Trying to manage the ball better helps us. I've seen some positive things but there's still a lot to work on.
Davide Nicola
Manager on Empoli...PREPARATION
We work and play for this. We are happy that a certain enthusiasm has been created, the last two games and also tomorrow's match are good things. We are aware that it is a very important match and it is for them too. Without risk there is no business and therefore this risk situation must also be accepted.
...CERRI
He trained with us all week, we'll see tomorrow based on some ideas I have. Whoever is there will contribute.
...ABOUT THE MATCH
The habit of playing this type of match is a wrong concept. And I think it's more important to be used to pursuing certain objectives, even Mister Cannavaro has some experience in this. I'm not interested in focusing on what others have done but only on what we want to do, the important thing is to continue with faithfulness to our work. The team has trained well, Udinese is a very physical team that has the ability to play these matches, you know that they are beautiful and the stakes are very stimulating.