SPAL coach Leonardo Semplici feels Milan “have revived” with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and expects “an enthusiastic” Rossoneri on Wednesday.
Ahead of the Coppa Italia round of 16 against the Diavolo, the coach concedes that the Estensi will have to achieve something “exceptional” to book a place in the quarter-finals of the Italian cup.
“SPAL must give a great performance. I want to see a team that play with the same personality as in Florence,” he said at a press conference. “We will try to give everything.
SPAL coach Leonardo Semplici feels Milan “have revived” with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and expects “an enthusiastic” Rossoneri on Wednesday.
Ahead of the Coppa Italia round of 16 against the Diavolo, the coach concedes that the Estensi will have to achieve something “exceptional” to book a place in the quarter-finals of the Italian cup.
“SPAL must give a great performance. I want to see a team that play with the same personality as in Florence,” he said at a press conference. “We will try to give everything.
“[New signing Bryan] Dabo will definitely be involved and we will try to go through to the next round. It would be an exceptional thing against at great team.”
The 1-0 loss to Fiorentina in Florence was their second consecutive defeat and SPAL are stuck at the bottom of Serie A after 19 games this term.
Semplici admitted they are sad but claimed the Biancazzuri have an “additional incentive” against the Rossoneri.
“We are sad, but we have the possibility of correcting it,” he added. “I expect an enthusiastic Milan. They have revived after the arrival of Ibra.
“We will have to find a valuable formation, despite our position. It will be an additional incentive to have a good performance and give them trouble.”
The coach admitted he has some issues ahead of the last 16 in the Coppa Italia and revealed Federico Di Francesco might come off the bench.
“Let’s see. [Thiago] Cionek comes, but he struggles physically. Also, [Mattia] Valoti has the flu,” the coach said. “The players who can give us a certain performance will play.
“Di Francesco won’t start, but maybe he will come on during the game. We are evaluating between [Karlo] Letica or [Etrit] Berisha.”
The 52-year-old is still hoping to see some new faces come through the door in Ferrara and said he needs someone who can help “lift” the club.
“I hope to get players who are able to lift the team both technically and the morale in the group. Motivated players who want to prove their value,” he said. “I am convinced that the players who arrive will have this spirit.”