Ola Solbakken: Recovery Crucial for Empoli's Trip to Naples

by Simone Cioni

EMPOLI

Twenty minutes in Como, starting against Bologna in the Coppa Italia, another six minutes last Sunday against Cagliari. With Kouame's injury, Ola Solbakken's recovery from the shoulder injury that kept him out for more than three months, becomes fundamental.

Solbakken, on the horizon there is the tough away match in Naples, what will it take to try to get a result?

"At this moment the most important thing is to stay united. Every game for us is an opportunity to get three points or at least a positive result, which could also be a draw. We can't give up, we have a series of important games ahead of us but now we have to focus only on Napoli".

Let's take a step back, with Cagliari one point gained or two lost?

"I think both. We deserved to win, we took a step forward compared to the previous match. We have to continue on this path, working to grow as we have always done. There is nothing magical that has to happen, we just have to be united and get back to the three points."

On an individual level, how are you?

"I'm starting to feel good, it took me some time to recover both from my shoulder and from a mental point of view, it wasn't the first time I had to recover from an injury like that. Now I feel ready, I want to grow and be able to give my contribution to the team in training and in the match, whether it's from the first minute or during the match".

In Como he played as a central midfielder, is that a solution he feels comfortable with?

"Of course I play where the coach asks me to play. Throughout my career I have played wide, then when I came to Roma I adapted to a more central position behind the forwards. I have to give my best in every position the coach uses me in."

Only 2 goals in the last 8 games, what are you missing to finish what you create?

"We have to score more, we have the team potential to do it. We need to unlock ourselves, then the goals will come. Also from a personal point of view I work to score goals and give my contribution to the team in this final part of the season".

The list of unavailable players has grown even longer...

"This is why we must be united and compact for these last seven days that remain, we have some important players who are out: it must not be an excuse but it is certainly not a help. We will fight to reach our objective, we know it and we believe in it".

The race for salvation is now between Lecce and Parma or can we hold out until Verona?

"I don't think we need to look too much at other teams, let's think about the match against Napoli and then we'll prepare for the next one as best we can. We've already shown that we can play against any team, we need to have the mentality of playing for the three points and if we don't manage to take one home".

Next match, which will be the direct clash with Venezia, will there be only one result?

"We know how important the match against Venezia is, we'll be playing at home and our fans will help us. It's not over until it's over: we know we have to win but if we don't, nothing will be lost."