Viareggio Cup, Armando Madonna's comments

LASPEZIA - After going out to Club Brugge at the quarter-final stage of the 71st Viareggio Cup, Armando Madonna spoke about the game. "We didn’t have much in the way of numbers, we had 14 players for two or three games. If we didn’t concede early we would have kept it closer and held it together but instead, we let one in right away and it was all uphill from there. I would have made more changes but couldn’t, the guys put the effort in during the second half though and showed the desire to turn the game around."

Despite all the absences, the Coach was pleased with what his guys were able to show: "Up front, we had Mulattieri and Vergani who have played five straight games but they were the only forwards I had available. They’ve had some playing time, Vergani hadn’t played for two months, he didn’t train much so it was difficult. I was also surprised by the earlier games because we kept things together well. We even changed the system but the guys still showed great desire which is the foundation for getting results."

Empoli will be next opponent on Saturday 30 March and the side will prepare while waiting for the international players to return. "I expect the internationals to return in the same state as before they left, with a great will to improve. The end of the season is very important, we’re in a good position, it’s all in our hands and we can decide our own fate. The responses given in recent time were significant and impressive, I expect to see the guys come back determined."