Hellas Verona coach Paolo Zanetti expressed his relief and satisfaction following a crucial victory against Parma, which has revitalized the team’s fortunes and helped secure his position as head coach. The win marked an important step for Verona, who had been struggling in recent weeks.
In his post-match comments, Zanetti shared his thoughts on the week leading up to the match. “There are many things I don’t want to discuss right now. What matters is the pride we felt coming together to weather this storm. I am responsible for the team, and last week we performed poorly, but that is now part of the past. This week, we have come together and decided to continue our battle as one.”
He emphasized the importance of unity within the squad, stating, “We face difficulties, but by staying united, we have shown ourselves that we can perform well in important matches worthy of this club. Losses are part of the journey, but some are not acceptable. Today, it was clear that we needed a reaction, and this is just the starting point for all our upcoming games.”
Zanetti also addressed his decision to leave out player Tengstedt due to injury concerns. “I made choices based on our current situation. We cannot afford to have players who are not fully fit like Tengstedt today; he had a calf issue, and we didn’t want to take any risks. This is about team spirit; everyone must give their all, including me as the coach. We need every component to come together, setting aside personal issues for a common goal.”
When asked about his relationship with sporting director Sean Sogliano and how they communicated with the team, Zanetti remarked, “We thought as a team without touching on topics that had thrown us off balance. Throughout this process, we sometimes lost sight of what was most important: our common mindset. My relationship with Sean is deep, straightforward, and honest. He never gives anything away easily; if he chose to keep me on board, it’s because he believes I still have something to contribute.”
Zanetti acknowledged the challenges ahead but remained optimistic about maintaining momentum. “This week has been difficult. I remembered the banner from our fans during training that read ‘Alone Against Everyone.’ I followed my supporters’ mindset. It’s crucial for a young coach to manage pressure and difficult moments effectively. I must help my players navigate these challenges while putting aside personal situations.”
