Trust: this is Coppitelli’s watchword. The Roman coach believes he can begin a new phase. Bari is an extremely difficult away match but the coach is convinced that he can reverse the trend shortly: «A new phase has begun for us. We have been working normally for a week and this is the first time this has happened. The performance with Scafatese is close to what we can give. We have to score points and look at each race with the right approach to get the most out of it. The group begins to get to know each other, the form improves and the values of the individuals begin to emerge. Bari is the main candidate for promotion but our late start requires us to enter the field with malice and ferocity. We must not exclude any possibility. I expect that in the next few weeks we will start to fuel up, I would be surprised if this were not the case.”
Coppitelli, as well as sporting director Fabio Lucioni, has requested reinforcements from the club. The free agent market hasn’t produced anything so far. The coach’s words on the eve of the “San Nicola” match reveal Via Conforti’s hesitations in opening the coffers to strengthen Cosenza: «When you equip a team called to fight for salvation, timing becomes fundamental. I made evaluations in a very transparent way. I did them both internally and externally, nothing has changed since then. I am of the opinion that the team still needs to be completed, unfortunately I cannot do more than this because it is not up to me. I can only work to get the most out of the human material available.”
He has two “reinforcements” in midfield at home: Palmieri, who turns 31 today, and Dzepar: «Riccardo (Palmieri, ndc) is a high-end footballer for the category, we are recovering him after a particular month and a half. He worked separately during the week due to a back problem, we will evaluate whether to use him from the start or not but he will give us a big hand throughout the season. Orhan (Dzepar, ndc) is a player of great quality but he needs time because he comes from a different football and doesn’t know the language, however, he is growing.”
Dametto is in strong doubt for this afternoon’s match. The unknown linked to the presence of the Sardinian central defender increases the defensive emergency, orphaned by Pascalau, involved with Romania U21 (90′ on the pitch in the 0-3 in Cyprus). In case of withdrawal of the former Torres, a chance for Cogoni is possible, with the adaptation of Barone to Dalmazzi’s left flank. Contiliano should return to midfield. Palazzino is back among the squad.
There will be several absences in the red and whites: with the red and blues there will be no Celli, Mantovani, Manzari, Vicari, Burgio, Gomez and the international Esposito. In front there will be the old acquaintance Butic.
