At the end of the match between Venezia FC and Empoli, valid for Matchday 36 of Se

rie BKT and ending 2–0 in favor of the orange-and-black-green side, head coach Giovanni Stroppa and goalkeeper Filip Stanković analyzed the game as follows.

Giovanni Stroppa, Venezia FC head coach
“

In the first half, the opposing goalkeeper was decisive with three important saves. We consistently played in their half, and the second half followed the same pattern. I’ve always said that the strength of this team comes from those who play less but give their all during the week in training and help drive the group forward. Today Compagnon is an example, but also Dagasso, Casas, Korac in Bari, and many others. Even Franjic, who hadn’t played for weeks, had an outstanding match today. We’re still on 78 points but can’t celebrate? I can only congratulate the others, who with quality and consistency keep the level of this league so high. It’s truly a record-breaking season for the category. I’m very proud of my team, which brings this desire to win onto the pitch every match

Filip Stanković, Venezia FC goalkeeper
“

Today we stayed focused on ourselves from the very first minute. We knew it would be a difficult match, with them sitting deep and us needing patience to find the right spaces. In the first half we attacked a lot and only faced danger once, when with Svoboda’s help we prevented a goal. It’s a fantastic league—everyone at the top keeps winning, and there’s a lot of competition. We’re happy with today’s three points and already focused on the next match in La Spezia. Today we really felt the support of the fans—around the 20th minute when they got going, I could feel incredible energy from behind. It’s great to hear the whole stadium singing; they are undoubtedly the twelfth man on the pitch

The post-match of Venezia FC - Empoli

There are 27 players called up by coach Giovanni Stroppa for matchday 36 of the 2025/26 Serie BKT season, in which Venezia FC will face Empoli tomorrow at 17:15 at the Pier Luigi Penzo Stadium.

Goalkeepers:
Matteo Grandi, Stefano Minelli, Alessandro Plizzari, Filip Stankovic.

Defenders:
Bartol Franjic, Antoine Hainaut, Ridgeciano Haps, Seid Korac, Richie Sagrado, Joel Schingtienne, Ahmed Sidibe, Michael Svoboda, Michael Venturi.

Midfielders:
Bjarki Bjarkason, Emil Bohinen, Gianluca Busio, Mattia Compagnon, Matteo Dagasso, Issa Doumbia, Alfred Duncan, Nunzio Lella, Kike Perez, Alessandro Pietrelli.

Forwards:
Andrea Adorante, Antonio Casas, Lion Lauberbach, John Yeboah.

SERIE BKT 25/26: THE SQUAD CALLED UP FOR VENEZIA FC - EMPOLI

Coach Stroppa is preparing for matchday 36 of Serie BKT, in which Venezia FC will face Empoli at home at the Pier Luigi Penzo Stadium. The match is scheduled for Saturday, April 25 at 5:15 PM. The head coach of the arancioneroverdi previews the key aspects of the game in his pre-match comments and reflects on his team’s current form.

Regardless of tonight’s result and regardless of tomorrow afternoon’s 3 PM result, I’ll say the same thing again: we have to focus on ourselves and try to win as many matches as possible from now until the end. We can’t think about anything else. We have always worked for ourselves, and I have always tried to do things without being influenced, even more so now. We must be free to do what we know how to do. We are focused on tomorrow’s match, without thinking about anything else.

We have to think game by game, without anticipating what might happen in a week in La Spezia, or in fifteen days at home against Palermo. The most important match is tomorrow’s, and as we did against Bari, we will try to take home the maximum, with full determination.

Today we must look ourselves in the mirror and recognise the great things we have done so far. We have left nothing to chance, and some mistakes made along the way have been decisive in improving our performances afterwards. We have great hunger, which is the value that has defined us from the beginning, because without hunger you don’t go anywhere.

Empoli are an opponent who last weekend deservedly turned the game around, they have strong forwards and a very solid attacking phase. The midfield of the Tuscan side knows how to play football, and defensively they are a complete team. In terms of mentality, both teams are playing for an important objective; tomorrow we will have to be good at matching the opponent’s mental level

The press conference of Giovanni Stroppa

On the eve of the upcoming match between Venezia FC and Empoli, scheduled for Saturday, April 25 at 5:15 PM at the Pier Luigi Penzo Stadium, attention around the team is growing.
This morning, Venezia’s defender Ridgeciano Haps spoke to the press, taking stock of both his personal condition and that of the team.



“I feel very good within the team and in the role I play. The coach’s style of play enhances my characteristics, and playing with these teammates makes everything even easier and more enjoyable. I really appreciate Mister Stroppa’s vision and idea of football, and in particular the freedom he gives us on the pitch: it perfectly matches the way I interpret the game.

Not qualifying for the World Cup was a big blow, but now I am completely focused on Venezia and on the goal we want to achieve as soon as possible.

We have to stay focused and take each match one at a time, without distractions. Our focus is exclusively on Empoli.

As I said, the coach gives us freedom of choice on the pitch: it’s up to us to read situations, understand if there are spaces, and decide how to move and make runs. He’s also right in saying that I can still improve and grow. We’ve been in regular discussion since the beginning of the season, and I’m very happy to be able to contribute, both on and off the pitch.

I like engaging with younger teammates, trying to help them with their movement and to keep their concentration and morale high, because in football there are both positive and negative moments. For example, I try to help Richie Sagrado grow, since he plays in my same position, as well as other teammates who may play less. Football is made of ups and downs, and for that reason you always have to stay focused, so you’re ready when your moment comes. It’s a mindset I always try to pass on, especially to younger players.

The fans have been and continue to be fundamental, not only in positive moments but especially in the more difficult ones. They’ve given us great energy, and we’re happy that they’re experiencing such a season. They deserve to celebrate. I’m very pleased with the nickname ‘Ciano’ that they’ve given me—now even my wife calls me that.”

Venezia FC

The post-match of Venezia FC - Empoli

SERIE BKT 25/26: THE SQUAD CALLED UP FOR VENEZIA FC - EMPOLI

The press conference of Giovanni Stroppa

Ridgeciano Haps press conference