Raffaele Palladino ready for the European semi-final against Pellegrini

The comparison with a dean like Manuel Pellegrini stimulates him. Raffaele Palladino knows that a lot is at stake in the first leg of his first European semi-final as a coach. "We must be proud of the path we have taken. We are experiencing this match with lightness, awareness and self-esteem. We must go onto the pitch with serenity, it is nice to play a semi-final here. It will be a difficult match but we must not be anxious. We will need personality. We have the weapons to cause them difficulty in the two matches. We know that the crowd will be enthusiastic, but there will also be the return match. Our dream is to get through the round and get to the end". Waiting to understand if Moise Kean will be in the match from the 1st minute or not. Palladino leaves a margin of doubt. "I spoke with Moise, the boy is fine and calm. Energized and motivated. He returned and did two training sessions with the team. He is ready to play, then we will see. We have many matches and I will have to choose whether to start him from the beginning or not. I will have to decide, but he is fine and motivated".

It will be important to be tactically clear. "We have to play a perfect game in both phases. They are the fifth team in La Liga for ball possession. We know their prerogative, we have studied them. We will have difficulties, but we can hurt them". Colpani returns to the squad, useful for the final sprint of the season. "I am happy to have Andrea back. He has been out for a long time due to this accidental injury suffered in training. We are happy to have him in the team for a week. He knows this game system well. He has worked as a mezzala, as a fifth, as a second striker. He is a versatile boy and very available".

Alessandro Latini