What fascinates you about the Premier League?
“Everything, from the atmosphere, with the fans very close, to the great coaches and players who are there. A truly fascinating championship”
How is Lukaku?
“He didn’t leave with us, he has a hip problem that returns months later. The treatment he’s receiving requires him to stay out of action for a couple of days, let’s see how the situation evolves. I think it’s a situation that can be resolved in a few days but I’m not sure”
Will there be a strong turnover against Brighton?
“The important thing will be to have fresh people on the pitch, ready to play a great match, as already happened in the first leg. It’s not a question of differentiating reserves or starters, many players have played many matches and we need fresh forces. I have great confidence over all”
How are you experiencing this new adventure?
“In these two months I have slept little, but this is a job that makes you happy. I work a lot, but I am happier now than when I was looking for a team to coach. I certainly wasn’t thinking about Roma, but about more humble solutions (laughs ed.)”
In recent days there has been talk of a ‘risk of overthinking’, what do you think? Do you think it’s a real risk?
“The risk of thinking of too many solutions, for a coach, is real, at the same time, however, there is also the risk of thinking of too few. By playing many close matches, it is normal that we idealize as many possible formations together to measure the forces on the pitch. Sometimes you make the right choice, sometimes the wrong one. I don’t think I analyze the matches more than my colleagues, the fact is that I highlight both positive and negative sides. Some of my colleagues don’t they do it”
Bove: “4-0 heavy result, they are a great team”
What is it like to experience the atmosphere of an English stadium?
“When you play in Europe it is always an incredible atmosphere, I am grateful and honored to be able to take part in these competitions”
The 4-0 first leg win against Birghton, last year’s revelation in the Premier League, surprised everyone a bit. Did you expect this difference between the two teams?
“I don’t think there is such a big difference between the two teams. In the first leg we played a good game, taking advantage of our opportunities, but the result was too heavy for them. Tomorrow they will want to prove that they are a great team and we too will have to do it on the pitch.”
Do you expect an aggressive game from Brighton, especially in the first minutes?
“Absolutely, as is normal. But we are interested up to a certain point: we want to plan a cycle and take advantage of the opportunities given to us to play our best football. It will be a complicated match and we will have to be concentrated.”