20 October 2009

Ferrara: «Only a victory counts»

«We worked on something different but I want to wait and see until tomorrow. Choices are made according to the particular moment of the team and something according to the opponent we will be playing against. I want to keep everyone in suspense, ready, careful, concentrated and “mean”». Ciro Ferrara could opt for a change in tactics during the match against Maccabi but did not want to reveal anything with regards to formation. The coach has great respect towards the opponents and does not want to give any advantage: «I saw them play and I think they are a very organized team, very linear and well placed on the field. Certain elements are high in quality. They lost the first match at home but they played well in the first half. Against Bordeaux they lost in the dying minutes after having created a number of opportunities. It is a team that should be respected with very young fullbacks, some of which were born in 1991».

The bianconeri must return to victory, after a period which was marked by a number of difficulties: «They were a possibility and I could not possibly expect everything to move smoothly. The team was built and set-up in a certain way for so many years and we tried to change. When compared to other team we are definitely the team that changes most. I don’t think however, that everything can be considered a disaster, far from it. Surely it is strange that in the last few matches we did not manage to win and our intention is to bring an end to this trend. Sometimes we gave good performances, others, like in Palermo for instance, we played badly. Against Fiorentina, however, I saw a team which was well toned, capable of creating opportunities, especially in the first half. There is a difference between the draw against Genoa or the one against Fiorentina and the one against Bologna. It is however, a particular moment and I observe a great will from all parts to return to victory».

The abstinence from three points brought with it some criticism addressed to the coach and the team: «I did not expect a period of amnesty just because it’s my first time and I don’t think this was the case. Having brought home certain results the problem just slipped away. It was difficult to criticize a coach or the team after 4 consecutive victories and after a good pre-season. Criticism comes when results are shortcoming and this is the case at the moment and the criticism followed. If they are done in the right tone I have no problem with them. When results fail to come certain security goes missing and this drives us to throw away possession or use long balls. I surely do not ask for this and we must not play in this manner».

The return to victory, for the first time in the season, is an absolute necessity: «In reality this is the case because in such a cup tie you have very few chances to recover. We already drew at home in the first match and we therefore need the three points».

He was asked about the return of Sissoko and if the Mali player can feel more comfortable when playing together with Melo in front of the defence instead of in a more attacking formation: «I think he is capable of adapting to both. His recovery is proceeding well, especially for somebody like him who was forced to a stop of six, seven months. I think he played well against Fiorentina winning back many balls».

 

 

Bologna	Sampdoria	1 - 1
Catania	Inter	3 - 1
Genoa	Cagliari	5 - 3
Juventus	Siena	3 - 3
Lazio	Bari	0 - 2
Livorno	Roma	3 - 3
Milan	Chievo	1 - 0
Napoli	Fiorentina	1 - 3
Parma	Atalanta	1 - 0
Udinese	Palermo	3 - 2