BOLZANO. The lights of the Druso Stadium return to illuminate the turf of the facility where this evening (kick-off at 7:30 pm) Südtirol, in the second match of the 2024-’25 B championship, will try to confirm last Saturday’s good performance against Modena, facing Salernitana of mister Giovanni Martusciello.
A challenge that is not expected to be easy (but in this B tournament it will be difficult to find an “approachable” opponent) not only because of the lineage of the Granata opponent and the work in progress that is conditioning the composition of that locker room; the greatest difficulties, in fact, come from the character and temperament of the Campania “bersaglieri”, qualities exhibited in the victory of the Italian Cup, resolved on penalties against Spezia, and the incredible comeback exhibited in the home success in the first match of the championship against Cittadella, which Salernitana signed with two goals (they were down 0-1) right in the Cesarini zone.
Victories as “bersaglieri”, in homage to the nickname that the club carries around in football that counts. Südtirol already knows that the contents of tonight’s match travel parallel to those of last Saturday, with the necessary nuances: “Salernitana is a team that, even if it has changed its roster a lot, in the two previous matches has shown that it already has the right mentality – said mister Federico Valente in a press conference -. I expect a strong opponent in the offensive phase, full as it is of important players on an individual level. Tomorrow (today for those reading, ed.) our first step will be to defend all together, because this is a characteristic at the base of our game and that makes us strong. For us it will be a match to face as we did with Monza, because Salernitana is a team that has a lot of ball possession”.
To fly the Alto Adige banner, Südtirol is called upon to show commitment, character and mentality as in the first outing of the championship. Qualities that will be reaffirmed by the expected return of Simone Davi, destined to recover the position in place of Andrea Cagnano, and by the debut of Polish midfielder Mateusz Praszelik who will settle in Jasmin Kurtic’s tile. The Slovenian international is recovering from the after-effects of an intestinal virus and should start from the bench, as well as Fabian Tait and the returning Silvio Merkaj.
Watching their teammates from the stands will be Hamza El Kaouakibi (expected to return to the squad after the break) and Karim Zedadka (recovering from a sprained ankle sustained in the friendly against Bochum). “Well, let’s say that it would be an ideal situation where you don’t have to make any changes, but I think you have to take into account the responses that come from the training pitch during the week. Of course, those who have already played well have a small advantage, but I remain convinced that those who train well will be part of the team. Will Simone Davi start? It’s a safe option, although I will have to take into account that Andrea Cagnano did well on the left against Modena. We’ll make a decision today… in the morning at the latest because you never know what could happen.”
Reflections (but not too much) that the Italian-Swiss coach will have to put on the table also regarding the possible inclusion of Praszelik in place of Kurtic. «Jasmine didn’t feel so good at the beginning of the week, so now I will check his conditions and then make a reflection». Mister Valente explores with a careful eye not only the conditions of the red and white troops, but also the deadlines of the calendar that in addition to Salernitana, offers the two close commitments with the away match on Tuesday 27 August against Carrarese (played in Pisa) and the third home match on Saturday 31 August with Brescia.
“It is clear that the resources available must be used considering the close appointments – Valente underlined – indeed, it is not only necessary to manage the forces, but it is necessary to look at the individual forces available to understand who can give us a hand. Fortunately, we have a large roster, on which I can rely. This is the principle that must make our group even stronger.
Those who start will have to give their all and not hold back, as will those who come on during the match. There will be another match on Tuesday and we will have to observe and understand who is really doing well, so as to be able to give the right opportunities to players who will certainly be fresher and eager to push, as they have done this week during training. Tait? He hasn’t been able to train consistently either… however, for me he came on very well against Modena. Last Saturday I had confirmation of his qualities: he is an important profile both on and off the pitch”.
The Formations
SOUTH TYROL (3-5-2): Poluzzi, Arrigoni, Casiraghi, Ceppitelli, Davi, Giorgini, Mallamo, Masiello, Molina, Odogwu, Praszelik
All. F. Valente
SALERNITANA (4-3-3): Sepe, Amatucci, Bronn, Daniliuc, Kallon, Maggiore, Njoh, Simy, Tello, Tongya, Velthuis
All. Martusciello
2024-08-24 18:13:30