Venezia FC is ready to take the field for Matchday 8 of Serie BKT. Tomorrow, Sunday, October 19 at 17:15, the Arancioneroverdi will face Empoli at the Carlo Castellani - Computer Gross Arena.

On the eve of the match, coach Stroppa spoke at the press conference about the team’s current form and previewed the game against the Tuscan side.

Giovanni Stroppa, Venezia FC Head Coach:
"Before the international break, the team was on a good path — we were coming off some strong performances. We’ll see tomorrow what the match tells us.

Compared to the start of the season, some mechanisms have improved. We’ve found the right chemistry, and the team is growing. This is a journey, and we’re still at the beginning, so I hope this growth continues over time.

The team is in good shape and has worked very well. The European players returning from international duty are ready. As for the South American players, they always face long trips — 10 to 12 hours on a plane — so it’s always a bit of an unknown to gauge their condition, since they’ve had limited training time with the group.

I have great respect for Pagliuca — unfortunately, that’s the nature of our job. I know Dionisi well and respect him a lot. Beyond the coach, Empoli is a strong team that, like us, wants to play a leading role in this league; tomorrow will be a tough match.

This group is extraordinary. I could pick the lineup right now with my eyes closed because whoever plays gives an incredible contribution, and those who come off the bench or stay out fully support their teammates. That’s the right mentality we need to keep until the end.

Over the past two weeks, we’ve received a lot of praise, but I told the team to put their helmets back on, because everything we’ve achieved so far has come through sweat and sacrifice."