Lecce head coach Marco Giampaolo addressed the media in a press conference ahead of the team’s match against Empoli. With the squad facing challenges due to injuries, Giampaolo shared his thoughts on player replacements and the team’s overall readiness.
Giampaolo expressed concern over the absence of Gallo, stating, “The renunciation of Gallo was not ideal. We find ourselves making adjustments every week, which is frustrating, but we cannot dwell on it. We must move forward and remain competitive.” He confirmed that Dorgu will be stepping in as Gallo’s replacement, emphasizing the need for stability: “The natural substitute for Gallo is Dorgu. Changing too much would disrupt our setup.”
When discussing the team’s performance expectations, Giampaolo said, “I expect more in terms of personality and game reading abilities. These aspects can tilt the balance during the 95 minutes.” He acknowledged the demanding schedule ahead, noting that they have three matches in the next 20 days.
On Bonifazi’s progress, Giampaolo remarked, “I told him that to be ready, he needs to follow a specific path. He has been training consistently for 20 days and is fit. If needed, he can play; otherwise, we may have to make adjustments.” He highlighted Bonifazi’s importance to the team structure.
Addressing the difficulties of growing as a team amid injuries, Giampaolo stated, “At times we need to better fill the area. We have done this against teams like Genoa but may have made poor choices in positioning.” He stressed that getting closer to the opponent’s goal with more players is essential.
Discussing new signing Karlsson, he noted, “He has had an extra week to acclimate and can contribute significantly. For me, there are 16 starters; a starter is someone who maintains the team’s performance level.” Giampaolo praised Karlsson’s qualities: “He is quick, strong in one-on-one situations, and very offensive.”
On Marchwinski’s situation, he mentioned that due to Rafia’s absence, Marchwinski has been training in Helgason’s role but added that “Helgason is much more prepared. If I had to choose one, I would select Helgason.”
As for Berisha’s recovery post-Empoli, Giampaolo stated uncertainty: “I don’t know. As of now, he is training separately.”
Finally, he addressed Ramadani’s situation: “He hasn’t lowered his training level. While he is not happy about not playing, he has reacted maturely and is performing well.” Giampaolo concluded by emphasizing the need to contextualize player characteristics within the team’s tactical framework.
