Davide Nicola was in a good mood following Salernitana’s scrappy 1-1 draw with Atalanta this evening.
The Campania side are looking to pull off the impossible and stage a late bid to escape the relegation zone. Heading into this evening’s game, Nicola’s side had won their last three consecutive matches, giving them a genuine chance of avoiding the drop.
Speaking to DAZN after the tough 1-1 draw with Atalanta, Nicola first reacted to the match and performance.
“We always care, I’m in love with these guys for the desire and sacrifice they put in, with the football they play. We came to Bergamo to play against a great team, Gasperini’s teams are tough, you have to be at the top.
“Atalanta believed in it, they’re fighting for their goals, we’re fighting for ours. Facing Boga, Zapata and Muriel is not easy for anyone. Basically, in terms of numbers, the draw is fair. If we could have scored the second goal… That’s fine, I’m very happy, let’s think about Thursday.”
He commented on the defensive performance and Atalanta’s equaliser.
“There were other situations where Atalanta were able to put us in difficulty. In the numbers, we have to be objective, the draw is fair.
“Conceding the goal in the last minute makes you more nervous, but they could have equalised earlier, just as we could have scored the 2-0. It’s a beautiful game, which serves to make us understand that we are there, we are competitive and will continue with this team.”
The Salernitana coach did not think that there had been a drastic change at the club recently, despite the sudden upswing in results.
“It hasn’t changed, it’s been two and a half months, we’ve grown in performance and conviction. It’s the work they do every day that I like, they are athletes who want to improve.
“They have genuine emotions, they don’t have anything on their mind, they just want to express themselves and they believe in this every day more and more. It makes me proud to coach them.”
Finally, Nicola looked ahead to Salernitana’s upcoming game against Venezia, something which is essentially a relegation play-off match.
“We have to play like we’ve been doing for quite some time. Now it’s important to recover quickly, from tonight we’re not interested in Bergamo anymore.
“We will think about the recovery for Thursday’s game. We hope that our fans help us, but we need their love to overcome the difficulties and the fatigue. I’m happy because our people care and identify with our guys.”
Salernitana now sit 18th in the Serie A table after 34 games, two points behind 17th place Cagliari, who have played one game more. A win against Venezia would see Nicola’s side rise out of the relegation zone, an incredible feat considering the rest of their season.
Salernitana, Nicola: "Innamorato di questi ragazzi. Pari giusto, ma potevamo segnare il 2-0" https://t.co/mx08aRdmwM – https://t.co/dGa4Nc0cIU pic.twitter.com/qhioqAp3IH
— TuttoAtalanta.com (@tuttoatalanta) May 2, 2022
Wow
From top to bottom their is heated competition.serie has truly become exciting and entertaining.it will be a drama if salernitana stay up.am rooting for Nicola due to his late son
If Salernitana stay up it would be the biggest romantic story since Leicester winnin the league 6 years ago. Nicola Salernitana manager is the Tony Pullis of Italian football and the great escape is on !!!!