SPAL boss Leonardo Semplici says he is ‘convinced’ his side will put up a fight against Juventus, despite their poor start to the season.
SPAL find themselves second from bottom after opening the campaign with four defeats in five, conceding three goals on as many occasions.
However, they face a Juve side who are in transition under Maurizio Sarri and whom they beat 2-1 in April.
SPAL boss Leonardo Semplici says he is ‘convinced’ his side will put up a fight against Juventus, despite their poor start to the season.
SPAL find themselves second from bottom after opening the campaign with four defeats in five, conceding three goals on as many occasions.
However, they face a Juve side who are in transition under Maurizio Sarri and whom they beat 2-1 in April.
“In the last two days I’ve tried to keep up the morale of the lads because these situations aren’t good,” admitted Semplici at a Press conference.
“We knew we’d face moments like these, but until you find yourself in them, you don’t know what they’re like.
“Tomorrow we’ll play an extraordinary match against one of the most important teams in Europe.
“It’ll be a very important test and I’m convinced the lads will do well and make life difficult for Juve.
“Felipe and Valoti aren’t fit right now, but we’ll assess them tomorrow. Kurtic definitely won’t be there.
“He suffered some bruising in the past few days and Di Francesco is a doubt. We’ll have to rotate due to the fact it’s been a difficult start to the season for injuries, but we’re sure that in the long run, our qualities will emerge.
“We’re facing an extraordinary team who are trying to grow in terms of the football they play with a new Coach.
“We’ll have to stay in the game. It’ll be a very difficult challenge, but I want to see a team who try to play football and know what they’re doing, putting identity into their play, even if it means taking risks.”