Donadoni: “Our focus is entirely on Südtirol, we must face them with focus and intensity”

Head coach Roberto Donadoni spoke ahead of the trip to Bolzano, now just two days away: “I found the team exactly as I had left it, and the players are in good shape, some of them even lost a bit of weight during the short break. We’ve worked very well throughout; today was slightly more difficult because the pitch was a bit icy, but these are situations that can happen in winter.

We immediately had the new signings Sernicola and Radunović available. I found them in good condition and highly motivated, and Adamo will be joining us shortly as well. What matters most is bringing in players with the right determination and the right motivation to come to Spezia, where focus and intensity must always be at the highest level.

Now we’re preparing for a tough match against an opponent who, like us, is fighting hard, so we’ll need concentration and determination to approach the game in the right way.

When working in the transfer market, of course the sooner you manage to do what you have in mind, the greater the benefits. But it’s also clear that the market has its own dynamics and timing, with a lot of competition, and putting all the pieces together isn’t easy. Here there is a strong unity of purpose: Melissano, Gazzoli and the President are doing an excellent job, and that makes things easier. However, the team must remain focused solely on the match, the transfer market is something we must leave to those who deal with it. It would be a mistake not to think exclusively about the game.

Radunović has arrived and is doing well, just as Loria and Mascardi are also in good condition. Mascardi, in particular, has performed well during this period.
Sernicola was on the fringes at Cremonese, even though he’s a player with real quality, and that certainly makes a difference. But for him, as with all new arrivals, patience is needed, time to work, integrate and get up to speed with the rest of the squad.
We had set ourselves four or five objectives, and I’d say we’ve achieved three of them so far. We’ll see what happens from here on.

I have a good relationship with all the players. Clearly, I have several forwards who can compete for a place in every match, and I always hope they put me in difficulty with their performances. The important thing is to have motivated and determined players, and especially nowadays, those who come off the bench really have the chance to make a difference.

For now we’ve added a wide player like Sernicola. We’ll see what other players arrive by the end of the month, and based on that we may consider different tactical solutions.
Esposito? A player known to everyone for his talent and quality. I wish him all the best at Sampdoria and hope he finds the right environment to fully establish himself. He has great abilities, but as with everyone, attitude always makes the difference in bringing out your true potential.

Südtirol? A tough opponent, mentally strong and physically powerful. They’re a very pragmatic team, so we should expect a match where duels will be crucial. They’re among the best teams in one-on-one situations and among those who deliver the most crosses, so we’ll need a very high level of focus and intensity.

Sernicola’s versatility? I really like the way he plays and his presence on the pitch. A player’s ability to adapt to different roles is a huge advantage.

Comotto? He’s a very young player with plenty of room for improvement. Physically he still needs time to develop, but he’s receptive and eager to work. He’s one of those important young talents in Italian football, and I hope he can grow a lot with us".