Towards the play off. Carlo Sanchez: “We enjoyed the journey, now we want to move forward”

Appointment with history: Real Forio is preparing to face the first round of the playoffs and, at Calise, awaits Gladiator. Carlo Sanchez's team, which finished the championship in third place, will play the one-off match at home and will have two results out of three in its favor. In the event of a tie at the end of the match, extra time will be played, but no penalty kicks. In the event that the tie is confirmed, the team in the best position in the standings at the end of the regular season will be considered the winner.

There is euphoria on the island for the challenge against the Nerazzurri; the biancoverde coach presents the playoff in the press conference: “It's a great feeling, there's no point in hiding it. We brought a playoff, as well as an important regional semifinal, to Forio. It's a well-deserved achievement after the path taken this season, for the investments and sacrifices of a big club and for the beauty of this place. There is enthusiasm, desire and unity. I anticipate the end: I truly thank everyone, it's wonderful to have these feelings and these emotions in Forio”.

Mister, these games are self-charging. Compared to league games, it will be a one-off match: how are you preparing for this match against Gladiator? “Good. We have had a very important journey with all the teams; the only one that really put us in difficulty along the way was Pomigliano, in the first leg. I think that, against Afragolese, Real Normanna, Gladiator – except for the return leg, when we also lost in a somewhat strange way –, Ercolanese and Portici, Real Forio respected the values ​​of a great championship. We did well and came in third, without anyone giving us anything. We have had a good journey. We have prepared for this match with the utmost tranquility: it is a football match, as exciting and beautiful as it is to play it in front of your own fans. It was our goal and we achieved it. The post-victory atmosphere with Sessana is proof of this. We are calm and ready, we have given a lot and received just as much. Now there is another step to take”.

Real Forio and Gladiator know each other, what kind of match do you expect? “A complicated and difficult match, to be played against a strong, quality and well-trained opponent. We will face an ambitious club, which was in Serie D last year. They have players from a higher category. They started with the belief of obtaining the repechage to participate in the Serie D championship. It will be a difficult match. We will go onto the pitch with humility and respect, but at the same time we are aware of our qualities and our strengths. We no longer have to prove anything to anyone: we have given great emphasis to what was the path of the boys, the club and the square. These players deserve applause. Then we go onto the pitch, the matches are difficult, but we have played thirty-four so far”.

Mister, how did you see the team? What will you ask the boys before going on the field? “To enjoy this playoff and have fun, I told them that today too. It will be great to play a game like that in front of so many people. It's the only game that will be on the island, so many people will come. That already says how important it is. They have to be there, they are the main actors of this show”.

How do we get to Sunday's playoffs from the infirmary's point of view? "Buono has finished the season. We have Sogliuzzo in the pits: he had a small problem last Sunday during the match with Sessana, he will miss the game. Velotti is suspended. The rest of the group is there, including Castagna and Tomasin. How does the Real Forio eleven change? We will evaluate after the finishing touches. I have 26 players who are well, they will be called up for Sunday's match. Then on Saturday evening, before the match, I will make my choices, even if the ideas are clear".

What kind of Real Forio will we see? Do you think you can surprise Gladiator in some way? “We are a team with a certain identity, but we have implemented different game systems during the championship. We have done 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 and 4-4-2. Based on the characteristics available, the brilliance of the players and the quality of the opponents, we will adapt. We have our idea, we want to play and leave nothing to chance. These are particular matches, where the slightest mistake can cost you dearly. We must be focused and we must do well, we want to have fun. Many times we forget that football is a game: we must go onto the pitch without pressure and with tranquility”.

Mister, how important are rotations in this type of match? “You know very well that I have always considered all the guys in the squad as starters, and they have proven to be so. If we look at the statistics, everyone has collected appearances and goals. We are the only team in Eccellenza to have had 20 different players score. The goalkeepers did not score, Tedesco who had little space, as well as Delgado. There were no goals from Pistola and Ballirano. However, we made twenty different goals, which means that the team works and is respected. There are important balances. Many matches have undergone a turning point thanks to the substitutions. This has been my fortune: having such a great group that made itself available, I can only thank them”.

What is the atmosphere in the locker room? “Very nice and calm, the guys are focused. We don’t want to stop. We all want to continue this path in the playoffs. We will try to have our say until the end, even if we are aware that it will be increasingly complicated, there is no point in beating around the bush. The teams are all strong and very balanced, but football is eleven against eleven. We will try to take advantage of the two results out of three in our favor”.

The fans are making their support felt, there is great enthusiasm for this event. What do you want to say to the public? “Just thank you. When they filmed the videos of me on Sunday night, I had great emotions. The atmosphere is beautiful. If we are here talking about a playoff, great credit also goes to the fans. They have always supported us. There were games in which we were behind, they applauded us and encouraged us, helping us to come back. In defeats they have always been by our side. A great atmosphere has been created. I believe that this year a different project has started, which has brought balance and mentality. The presence of the fans on the pitch indicates this direction. I am happy, we just have to continue. On Sunday we will put in a great performance in front of our people. Regardless of everything, there will be applause at the final whistle”.

Mister, everyone hopes for a positive result. If not, what will the assessments be? “Positive. A few months ago I talked about Forio in the playoffs. We got there. This achievement is no small feat, considering the clubs that were left out, like Ercolanese and Portici. We had a great championship, taking many steps. Negative results must not lead to disappointment. Today we have a feeling of strength and will, but we also know that it will be complicated. We will play an important match to overcome the ambitions of the Gladiator: we want to get through the round. I am convinced that we will leave to applause and with a lot of attention. We will play a strong and important match; our boys will demonstrate their belonging to this club”.

There will also be another playoff, between Real Normanna and Nola. What do you expect? “There is family attention there, but it will be another beautiful match, in front of a lot of people. Here we have a ban on the away sector, there is an equipped field and the opening for the fans. It will be a great show. We will play our game, then we will see the results. At a family level I cannot help but be biased. It would be nice to play a grand final with my brother, perhaps it has never happened in Italy. In the meantime, let's think about the Gladiator, we want to put in a great performance and move forward”.