Venice, Vanoli: “We wanted victory at any cost, this is the right attitude. Rating? Stay…

Venice beat Spezia in the first round of the fifth round of Serie B and momentarily lead the standings. Here are the statements made by Laguna coach Paolo Vanoli at the end of the match: “We knew we were facing a great team. We knew he was fit and they showed quality today. However, I must say that my players this evening wanted victory at any cost. This is the right spirit. Last year we played very well but were a little behind and I think championships are won by better defense. An important win and performance against a great team. We can do more, I’m convinced. We still have a lot of work to do, but this is the mentality we need to face the matches. Between the lines they were a little difficult for us, Esposito was hard to catch and we were also in trouble, so I thought about putting Johnsen behind the two strikers. Even from this point of view, we must grow and improve. But this is also part of the racial strategy. It was a very tough and open match. I’m happy and the guys must be proud of what they’re doing. Always with humility, I know that we still have room for improvement. However, we have a greater desire to go and achieve important results.

This team also reflects our fans. Last year I saw that Sverko has something: it was a little premature to throw him into the Bundesliga, then he started working with us and missed out a little in the Cup, but I have to say that I liked him today because he is a determined boy and tactically allows me to practically play with three defenders. We are a team that has yet to find its mobility, but they are gaining mentality. I told Tessmann that a great player must know how to land and play. This is an experience he will take with him. I think he struggled a little more than anyone else in the first half, but the beauty of this team is that whoever comes in always gives something more. Gitkjaer performed very well. We are a good band that should always dream with our feet on the ground. I think these guys deserve this victory: even today we have to find an identity. We have players who allow us to change, and I had to change because it was difficult to get Esposito. These are good players who always have quality, then I put two strikers and I would be crazy not to be five behind in the final minutes. We know how to endure, and this happened with Cittadella. Today we don’t need to look at the standings: I wanted to come out with the desire to get there and I think they deserved it today. It takes even more to stay there. We have a dream before us, and dreams without goals remain dreams. Eight months ago we played every game to get out, and eight months later we got out and now we know what’s in there, let’s stay as far away as possible.”