Venezia FC head coach Giovanni Stroppa is getting ready for the team’s first home match of 2026, scheduled for Saturday 17 January at 3:00 pm. Catanzaro, the Lagunari’s opponents, are currently fifth in the standings and have recorded five wins in their last six matches. Speaking to the media, Coach Stroppa previews the key themes of the clash against the Calabrian side.

Giovanni Stroppa, Head Coach of Venezia FC:
“We come into the match against Catanzaro well prepared, both in terms of performances and our psychological and physical condition. We have been improving steadily and, in recent outings, results have backed that up—we’re in a good moment.

After the defeat in the first leg against Catanzaro, even though we put in a strong performance, the team has continued to show something extra game after game. Compared to the first meeting, we’re facing a different team now: the Calabrians have grown a lot, and in their last match against Frosinone they didn’t deserve to lose. I congratulate Aquilani for the work he’s doing with the team; tomorrow will be a direct clash.

My assessment of Venezia’s first half of the season is certainly positive—we’ve had a good run. It’s a pleasure to coach this team and a source of pride to work every day with such professional players. Since July we’ve had a training camp and a tour marked by constant growth, and I hope the team can maintain this desire to keep improving over time.

Within a match there are moments that can influence you positively or negatively. Playing with ten men against Juve Stabia was difficult, but we took home an important point that helped build a mental foundation for taking the first step forward. In Reggio Emilia, even though we played with ten men for half an hour, we were in a comfortable situation because up to that point we had conceded almost nothing; the players defended well and managed the ball with order.

If I look at the table, in my opinion the nine or ten teams at the top are all candidates to do well. All the clubs are strengthening, and from the end of January a new championship will begin.”