Herr Blessin spoke to Pegli at a press conference on the eve of the match against Verona at Bentegodi.
How were the two weeks of work and what is the state of form of the national teams?
«On the one hand, it’s always good to have a break to breathe, but on the other hand we have to keep working, we have a lot to do. We had nine players in the national teams: I’m very happy with this, but they are missing in daily training ».
Your impressions of yesterday’s meeting with the fans?
«It was an exceptional gesture by the fans what they did for us as staff and for the players. Already at the stadium they always helped and supported us, but what happened yesterday is even more beautiful for us all. It was also a positive sign: fans, team and staff have united. In recent weeks they are all compact with each other, they support each other and I am happy. I’m happy to play the next match: it will be very tough, but we know it will help us a lot to play with such passionate fans behind us ».
Are you happier with the 10 points you have won so far or with the beneficial effect of your arrival at Genoa?
«The 10 points won certainly fill me with pride, but they could also have been two points more. However, we have not achieved anything yet, there is no reason to be too confident or euphoric: we must continue on this path, we must be focused. I am very satisfied that the players have understood my way of playing and have performed well: however we must all continue to work together in the same way we have done so far ».
After Atalanta and Turin, you will play against Verona playing one on one: how will you face it?
«We have seen that they play one on one. Maybe they don’t have great speed on the counterattack, but they have great dribbling quality, they play carrying the ball all together and are very dangerous. If we let them play and give them space, they become dangerous: we must not give them space and we must not let them play in peace ».
Did you have special attention for Amiri and Destro? Have you talked to them?
«I wanted to clarify that in the match against Torino I replaced them for tactical reasons and not because they played badly: in professional football you have to accept these situations. I talked to them and told them clearly: there are absolutely no problems. The main thing, the most important, is that every player on the field makes the most of it. Now we are lucky enough to have players in the squad who were previously injured like Mimmo (NDR: Criscito), like Roberto (NDR: Piccoli), like Eku (NDR: Ekuban). These players will help us to have more quality and can help the team at any moment of the match ».
Can Piccoli and Ekuban be called?
«Roberto had already trained last week and was ready. There is also Eku who has trained very well this week: for both of us there is the possibility to play and I am very happy that they are in good shape ».
