"Derby, enthusiasm and emotions". Salieri plays Andrea Costa-Virtus

Three seasons at the helm of the Virtus, twenty years ago, impossible to forget for Stefano Salieri, the last yellow-black helmsman before the company's closure in 2005. Memories that the Castellano coach, fresh from the experience with Piacenza in A2 which ended in October, relives on the eve of the Imola derby on Sunday.

Let's start from the present: 154 games in his four seasons (and a bit) in Piacenza.

"Very good seasons, this year we suffered a bit at the beginning of the championship. In any case it was an important, formative experience, from which I came out enriched in terms of professional and human aspects".

How is this new one? A2 championship?

"The general level has increased, and this is true for Serie B, as I saw at the Cup finals. The play-in formula is good, keeping all the teams involved until the last day".

Now a nice dive into the past. Coach of the Virtus Imola from 2002 to 2005 in Serie B: what memories do you have?

"Three very beautiful years in all aspects. We launched young players and played important championships. The last year we reached the semifinals with Soresina coached by Trinchieri, a galactic team that then went up, against whom we won game two at home after a beautiful match. Years and moments that have left a lot in my memory, also in the relationship with the fans".

Closure at the end of the season.

"It was a season full of satisfactions in which many people, including the managers, made sacrifices to bring the team to the end. An attachment to the shirt that was honored".

Did you expect the yellow and black colors to rise again?

"The path has been carried forward on what those who have made Virtus rise from the ashes have sown: the crowning of the enthusiasm of fans who were in the palace back then when I was coaching and are still there. Now Virtus is where it belongs".

The derby is on Sunday.

"Matches that make you raise your voice, your motivation, your enthusiasm. Special matches, beautiful to play in which not only the two points count. In addition, there will be a large crowd".

What kind of race do you expect?

"For Andrea Costa it is an opportunity to turn things around. For Virtus it is a game of pride having lost the first leg of the derby. The attitude and tactical situations will be important, with each team having to try to put the game on the track most suited to them".

prediction?

"Derbies have no predictions, they are wide open. If I look at the individuals, I see on one side Sanguinetti, who I launched at the time of Gira Ozzano, who can be decisive for his coolness, while among all the men of Virtus I like Fiusco, a talented and physical player".