Martelli unbeaten for 582 minutes: "Forlì, my most important save"

Can you be a 'bomber' while playing between the posts? Yes, if your name is Luca MartelliThe 19-year-old goalkeeper arrived at Forlì on loan from Spal he made a great save against Progresso – yet another in a season that has established him as an absolute certainty and added value – opposing like a champion Stellacci's close-range shot and giving the lead to the victory of the league leaders.

"I made a great instinctive save – he explains –, which prevented the team from going behind and kept them on track. Two minutes later we unlocked the match. This was the parade most important of my season, equal only to the penalty neutralized, in the first leg, always at Progresso". On the specific weight of the victory, which keeps Forlì in the sole command of the standings with 2 points ahead of Ravenna, Martelli observes: "Three very important points, of course, but like all the others obtained. Now eight games remain and we must win them all".

Unbeaten for 582', spread over six matchdays, Martelli has collected against the red and blues of Bologna the clean sheets number 15 in 25 races championship played so far. "Let's say I'm having a good season, also thanks to the team and the technical staff, with whom I work hard during the week to be ready for Sunday", says the red and white number 22. Yes, the team: "In front of me there are very strong and experienced defenders, who transmit great confidence, but when the opponents manage to shoot on goal I try to always be reactive so as not to concede goals". Martelli says he is working intensely to "correct the weak points" (between the posts), but also "further improve the aspects in which I feel stronger" (high exits and footwork). And he reveals the secrets of the trade: "It is essential to always stay in the game and get fired up even when the ball is far from the penalty area".

Broadening the horizon to championship, the red and white goalkeeper indicates Pistoiese, although now very far behind and out of the race for promotion, "the team that, in the first leg, put us in the most difficulty, even more than Ravenna and Tau who are also very strong teams". Regardless of the opponents, however, "we have to look after ourselves and fight against everyone".

As for the highly anticipated direct clash for promotion with Marchionni's Giallorossi, scheduled for March 23 at the 'Morgagni', Martelli highlights its importance ("it could decide the championship"), but also draws attention to the next match that will see Forlì visit a Prato without any more worries or objectives to chase: "Woe betide anyone who thinks it will be a 'vacation', we absolutely must get a result".