Tommaso Menoncello, 19-year-old talent at zero km, believes in it «Edinburgh? They are very physical, pay attention to penalties “
/ TREVISO
Tomorrow we return to the field: in Monigo at 2 pm, the same time the same day as the last time. Naturally the opponent changes: from South Africans to Scots, from Stormers to Edinburgh. And the expectation of the fans grows. Today the two XVs will be released: the Benetton injured list must be updated with the entry of Manuel Zuliani (4-5 weeks of absence due to a calf strain) and the departure of Giovanni Pettinelli, who therefore becomes available again. Tommaso Menoncello, 19, is also aiming for a starting shirt: it is his decisive dive into the goal with which Treviso bent the Stormers on Saturday.
Menoncello, but now the opponent is even more formidable: those 8 goals suffered in Scotland, albeit in a friendly match, are still on everyone’s stomach.
«Two weeks ago we saw that they are a very physical team, which does not allow play. So we will have to be good at not giving them the opportunity to play their type of match and not committing too many penalties, as happened in the second half of the same friendly, because this had damaged us a lot ».
Having debuted with a success gives the charge.
«Having started the week of preparation for the match after a victory is very nice, in fact the morale is very high and the training we are doing shows it. But we know that we have to keep our feet on the ground, stay focused for the next match against Edinburgh ».
The field factor should be felt even more.
“It is certainly very important. After about a year and a half of pandemic without an audience, returning to the field and having Monigo’s support will be very nice and in my opinion it also served a lot in the first match we played in the league. So it will be the extra man who will be needed to win the game ».
How much did it help you to have started the preseason with the first team and to have played the two months of pre-season as a permit player with the rest of the group?
«Starting the preseason immediately with the team, without ever stopping, helped me a lot to get to know my teammates, to get a feeling on the pitch and with the plays to be played. I think it has also been seen on the pitch, I am much looser and play more calmly. Then by knowing the teammates well, a bond of brotherhood is being created which is reflected on the pitch ».
You grew up in the Benetton nursery, played two games in Monigo scoring two goals, the last of which was decisive. Things are definitely going well.
«Growing up in the Benetton youth sector and continuing this experience with the first team is something I’ve always dreamed of and scoring two goals was the realization of a dream. I didn’t expect to go out on the pitch twice and make two scoring. We hope that this will continue for the rest of the championship. I am very happy with the trust that my teammates and all the staff are giving me and I will always try to give my best ». –