Serie C 2024/25: Triestina-AlbinoLeffe postmatch

After the 1-1 draw between Triestina and AlbinoLeffe, Triestina manager Pep Clotet and goalkeeper Kelle Roos spoke in the press room.

Clotet:

"After Saturday, we took a close look at set pieces, especially defending corners and wide free kicks. We knew AlbinoLeffe is strong in these situations, so we adjusted our defensive structure a bit to give Roos more space to come out, which gave us stability. I want to thank the team for handling these moments with focus and for learning from Saturday, since this is a critical area in Serie C. I’m not happy with the goal we conceded, though, as it was avoidable, and I take responsibility for that.

In the time I’ve had with the team, I haven’t yet focused enough on that detail, but we’ll address it thoroughly starting tomorrow. I need to make sure the players understand that in confusing situations like that, we need to press immediately. This time it involved Braima, but it’s a lesson for the whole team. If we press sooner, their outlet pass won’t be as effective, Zoma won’t get the ball in such a dangerous position, and we can defend better. The team has executed this in other instances, preventing counterattacks, but in this case, the ball reached Zoma while Bianconi was dealing with cramps and couldn’t foul immediately. Zoma made a great play and scored. We knew AlbinoLeffe relies on set pieces and counters, and they made it hard for us by defending well and keeping spaces tight. That said, I think Triestina handled things better than we did on Saturday.

Compared to Crema, we filled the area better on crosses, attacking the near and far posts, with support players ready on the edge. I was also pleased with our physical improvement—we’re starting to find a rhythm, and that’s crucial because I favor an intense, attack-minded style. The team understands this, and they’re working very hard. Mentally, they showed resilience. Despite conceding at a moment when we were in control and didn’t expect to be trailing, they didn’t give up. They pushed forward, and their determination was rewarded. That equalizer in the final moments was a big positive, especially considering recent results.

Inserting El Azrak was about exploiting spaces between the midfield and attack, despite AlbinoLeffe’s compact setup. We wanted to use speed and movement rather than physicality against their physical side, who played with five defenders and three midfielders ready to block any second balls. El Azrak, a dynamic player, did well creating space on the right and delivering key balls. Offensively, I think constantly about how we can help the players improve. Looking at both Saturday and tonight, Triestina consistently created better chances than our opponents—not just the goal or Olivieri’s post.

Tonight, we faced a 5-3-2 that defends the full width and has two strong strikers for that style of play. The key to breaking down such a setup is speed, a high tempo, and passing between the lines. The team tried this tonight, and it’s something we’re working on. We also need to recognize forward runs from our attackers and look ahead rather than sideways, attacking quickly without giving the opponent time to reset. I don’t necessarily aim for possession; I want to go forward and attack, and we’re working toward that. We made a big step today: compared to the Pergolettese match, where we crossed without filling the area, tonight we attacked both posts and had a midfielder ready to follow up. That’s our aim, especially in a league where everyone defends with grit. Progress was clear, as was our dominance of second balls, and at times we had full control with our coverage while continuing to attack. We just need to make better use of forward runs, and we’ll keep working in that direction. We need to do our absolute best because our results so far haven’t brought enough points.

Vallocchia has a left ankle sprain; the medical team thinks it’s not serious, but he’ll need to recover and have an exam on Friday to assess further. It’s a shame, as he entered the game well and offers a different presence in the midfield, bringing calmness. I need to find the right balance, but Andrea understood the game perfectly and was performing well. It’s truly unfortunate, as he’s an important player who cares deeply about the team.

I also want to thank all the fans who applauded us after the match, showing faith until the end. The players have shown they care, and it’s part of my job to ensure they give their all until the final whistle. I thank the fans for their support here and in Crema. After Saturday, I told the team that even after a defeat and sitting in last place, when we went over to greet them, they applauded us. That was special. I reminded them that the least we owe the fans is everything we have on the field. When supporters applaud you regardless of the result, it’s the greatest reward for a player. In our current situation, this positive support and sense of togetherness are incredibly helpful, both for my work and for the players’ mindset. So, on behalf of myself and the team, thank you to all the fans once again."

Roos:

"Saving the possible 0-2 is part of my job, just as I did when it was still level. Going behind at that point in the game was tough because we were in a good spell, pressing to score and take the three points. At the same time, I’m pleased with how we reacted. It wasn’t easy to regroup mentally, push forward, and create opportunities to equalize, but it was crucial to show that belief and come away with a positive result. Of course, our goal was to win, but the response is something we can build on going forward.

The performance and the equalizer in such a challenging situation should boost our confidence. We didn’t have much time to recover after going down, but we managed to do it, and we should draw energy from that as we prepare for Sunday’s game. What needs improvement? There are many areas we need to work on. With the new coach and staff, we’re pushing every day to raise our level, striving for points and victories. We’re putting in maximum effort, and I firmly believe that if we stay focused on our work, we’ll continue to grow and progress."