Lecce head coach Marco Giampaolo addressed the media in a press conference ahead of their challenging match against Roma. He began by extending his best wishes for a speedy recovery to Roma’s Edoardo Bove, saying, “I want to wish a good recovery to Edoardo Bove; I couldn’t do it on Sunday, and I care to do it today.”
When asked about Lecce’s preparation for the match, Giampaolo noted that the team has been working diligently: “It has been a week of work; we have deepened our understanding and have gotten better at reading the nuances of the team. Coming off a good result helps us work better; the path is one of continuity.”
Discussing the upcoming match against Roma, Giampaolo acknowledged the difficulty of the challenge, stating, “In Rome, we expect a difficult match. I have seen the games under Ranieri’s management; against Napoli and Atalanta, they performed well. Against Atalanta, Roma was in the game until the end and had a solid performance against Tottenham. Roma is a strong team that is not there by chance; we face a very tough commitment. We need to be ready in terms of personality.” He also praised Ranieri’s ability to unify the team, emphasizing that “he is from that city and will have the whole stadium behind him.”
Reflecting on tactical adjustments during matches, Giampaolo explained, “The change in formation against Venezia was necessary, but it was something I had anticipated. Against Juventus, we were behind and needed to try something different. Right now, we have more wide players than one-on-one options. The team is adaptable during matches; we worked this week to be competitive. Formations are secondary; what matters are individual performances.”
Giampaolo expressed his respect for Claudio Ranieri, highlighting his extensive experience: “When you come back to coach at the top level over 70 years old in Serie A, it means you have managed to stay mentally young. He has vast experience even in European competitions. I have had dinner with him on several occasions; he is a person of very high stature.”
Addressing injury concerns, he mentioned Gallo’s absence as a significant loss: “Gallo was in extraordinary form and had an immense game against Juventus. For us, he is a value we will not have against Roma. We must make virtue out of necessity. I need to ensure players are in roles they are most comfortable with. That’s why the system of play doesn’t matter now.”
On specific players like Berisha and Rebic, Giampaolo said: “I like Berisha; he is elegant and knows how to play. He is growing; he is a player I appreciate.” Regarding Rebic’s potential starting role, he added, “I think about him as I do with all others. I need to make choices; my job is difficult. Rebic has been impeccable; I care for him. But I also have many other players who deserve similar consideration.”
When discussing potential pairings like Rebic with Krstovic, he noted that “when a player is generous, they can play with anyone. If you run and help each other, you can play with anyone.” He emphasized that there isn’t one winning system or losing system; rather flexibility is key.
