Fabio Liverani concedes the relegation showdown between Lecce and Genoa is ‘an important crossroads for the season’ and he’s keeping his eye on ex-teammate Goran Pandev.
It kicks off on Sunday at 18.30 UK time (17.30 GMT), click here for a match preview.
“This is an important crossroads for the season, as whoever wins it will get closer to their target,” said the coach in his press conference.
Fabio Liverani concedes the relegation showdown between Lecce and Genoa is ‘an important crossroads for the season’ and he’s keeping his eye on ex-teammate Goran Pandev.
It kicks off on Sunday at 18.30 UK time (17.30 GMT), click here for a match preview.
“This is an important crossroads for the season, as whoever wins it will get closer to their target,” said the coach in his press conference.
Only one point separates Lecce from Genoa, straddling the relegation zone, with Brescia and SPAL seemingly already doomed.
“What I will ask is that in these final weeks of the season everyone in general raises their game and absolute concentration to avoid errors, from players to coaches, through referees and the VAR.”
Lecce had stepped up the pace recently, but were beaten 3-1 at home by Fiorentina midweek.
“We were fatigued after the third game in a week, both physically and mentally. Unfortunately, we don’t have many options to rotate the squad, so that does eventually take its toll on those who play all the time.
“I am glad to say that although he’s not available to play, Marco Calderoni was still determined to be in the locker room with his teammates, and that is a great sign.”
These teams drew 2-2 back in December, when Thiago Motta was still the Genoa coach, so before Davide Nicola took over.
“A great deal has changed at Genoa, as they signed so many new players in January, bringing in more experience, and of course the coach is also different. I expect this to be nothing like the reverse fixture.
“We’re going to Genoa in order to play 90 minutes with hunger, humility, determination and fight for our objective. We must be more clinical, much grittier, as lately we’ve been gifting our opponents a few too many chances.”
There will be a special reunion before kick-off between former Lazio midfielder Liverani and current Genoa hitman Pandev.
“I’ve known Pandev since he arrived at Lazio as a promising 19-year-old, then over the years he became a champion, don’t forget his importance to Inter’s Treble.
“Goran is a key player despite his advancing age and we must try to limit his influence on the game.”
Lecce squad for Genoa: Gabriel, Vigorito, Sava; Vera, Lucioni, Paz, Donati, Monterisi, Rispoli, Dell'Orco, Meccariello, Calderoni; Petriccione, Shakhov, Saponara, Maselli, Majer, Barak, Tachtsidis; Mancosu, Lapadula, Falco, Farias, Babacar