The biancoblù winger comments on the success of Napoli and looks to the post season: “Improving the sixth place depends only on us, we want to beat Virtus too”
SASSARI. Departure from Naples at 4 with the sun still asleep, landing in Alghero early in the morning and a free April 25 for the whole group. Dinamo will resume training today, yesterday serena took a breath after the success caught in Naples, a difficult field regardless but made even more difficult by the precarious ranking of the Neapolitans and a very hot audience. But Dinamo these days match after match are learning to treasure their mistakes, avoiding repeating them. And if three weeks ago still away from home against Pesaro after having been in a solid advantage for a long time she fell in the final by being recovered and overtaken, on Sunday in the postponement in Campania once she felt the breath of the opponents on the neck she gritted her teeth and stretched again, winning two gold points in the playoff perspective.
The solitary sixth place is not yet a guarantee, it must be defended but still remains a springboard from which to attempt the leap to fifth position, in order to avoid a start of the playoffs against Milan or Bologna. Venice fourth is +4, in the last two days it finds Pesaro and Milan. Tortona is fifth at +2 and has to contend with Trieste and Brindisi. Dinamo in direct clashes are down 0-2 with Tortona and above with Venice for the goal difference but above all they have one more game to play, the recovery of May 6 at home with Virtus Bologna, in addition to Sunday’s match at home with Cremona and at the final of the 8 in Varese. It can be done? You have to believe it. And certainly among those who believe in it there is Stefano Gentile, one who, when the playoff breeze blows, changes gear, accelerating. For him – born in Maddaloni and raised in Juve Caserta – Sunday in Naples was almost a derby.
“We expected a tough race, in that environment – says the biancoblù winger -, we knew they would not give up easily and that the public would support them until the end but we did well because when they returned we did not disunite, and even when in attack things started not to turn to the maximum, we made up for what we lacked in Pesaro with the defense ».
Almost centered playoffs, but in what position?
«The math still says nothing about the playoffs and I do the begging. In this sport anything can happen but of course we are happy, Sunday’s success brought us to sixth place alone and now it’s all in our hands. We are calmer, and at the same time more responsible ».
Does anything snap when the playoffs are approaching?
“You begin to have more concentration and attention, you also try to work in perspective because when you are at stake you always play and there is little time to prepare news, so all the hay you can put in the farmhouse in this period you you find it later ».
You are well under way, and Bilan is too.
«Miro is at an excellent point, we are all working for him, we know his potential and we give everything to integrate him in the best possible way. Then, he has a very good physical and mental condition ».
Now?
“Now only the result counts.
On Sunday there is Cremona, who played a bad joke on it on the first leg.
“Yes, they surprised us, even though we came from Covid. They are already relegated and have nothing to ask for but for this very reason they will play light, without pressure, and many will want to shine for next season ».
Then Virtus, and the first leg match lost in the overtime that still burns ».
«Yes, but against the big ones it is like that. You have nothing to lose and you play it, You play even better, but the big teams are also bad because even if they don’t play to the maximum they still win. But we want to try because important points are at stake to improve our position ».
And the audience will give you a hand. Have you got used to it again?
«It always seemed to play like friendlies, but now the charge of the fans feels right. The audience makes you play better, more aggressive even away from home where you have to concentrate to block the noise ».