Leonardo Semplici returns to the SPAL bench for the big game with Sampdoria following his surgery. “A captain has to be at the helm.”
It kicks off on Sunday at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
This is Semplici’s first game back on the bench after undergoing emergency surgery two weeks ago for an intestinal blockage.
Leonardo Semplici returns to the SPAL bench for the big game with Sampdoria following his surgery. “A captain has to be at the helm.”
It kicks off on Sunday at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
This is Semplici’s first game back on the bench after undergoing emergency surgery two weeks ago for an intestinal blockage.
“I thank everyone after a rather unusual week. I thank the team, the club, my colleagues and friends who were so close to me,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
“I had a few difficult days. My staff worked so well in my absence and that helped me to rest and focus on my recovery. Even if I don’t feel great, my presence is important for the group. The captain has to be at the helm during an important moment of the campaign.
“There are 13 Cup Finals awaiting us and I was determined to be on the bench for this difficult match. Sampdoria are a quality side and our performance must be above and beyond expectations.”
SPAL are inevitably weakened by the absence of injured star winger Manuel Lazzari.
“We’ll continue with the tactic we started against Sassuolo, which is four at the back. Even if we don’t have the specific characteristics for a pure 4-4-2, we’ll try to make the most of our players and their characteristics. We also tested out a 4-3-3 and other situations to be developed.
“It’s been too long since we won at home and we’ve got to get the three points tomorrow. The trickiest part of the season starts now.”
Semplici is also demanding more of striker Andrea Petagna, who has set a new personal best of 10 goals.
“He needs to target 15 now, because we can’t rest on our laurels and neither must he.”