Serie A Enilive 2025/26 | #VeronaLecce | Coach Paolo Sammarco’s words
Verona – The statements of Hellas Verona head coach Paolo Sammarco, given today on the eve of Hellas Verona–Lecce, a match valid for Matchday 34 of the 2025/26 Serie A Enilive season, scheduled for Saturday 25 April at 8.45 PM at the 'Bentegodi' Stadium.
How have you seen Orban in training? Can you give us your assessment of what happened? "Regarding Orban, personally he made a gesture that is far from my values. This week he has trained separately and will not be called up for the Lecce match".
Do you think you can end this negative run of results against Lecce? “It hasn’t been an easy week, especially because results haven’t been coming. However, we are trying: it’s true that talking about performances right now is not easy, but we’ve always stayed in the game. Against Lecce we will try even harder".
Does the decision on Orban concern only this match or also the next ones? "At the moment we are focused on this game: for tomorrow he won’t be available. Then, together with the club, we will evaluate what to do".
What is the situation regarding unavailable players? "Niasse still has a hamstring issue. Oyegoke will be out for a while, probably until the end of the season. The others have returned: Bowie and Suslov have trained with the team for two sessions, while Sarr has been back available since the start of the week".
Are you ready to start Vermesan from the first minute? "I know Vermesan well, he’s an interesting player and he made a very positive impact against Milan, even beyond expectations. He can be an option both from the start and during the game".
Can the match against Lecce help delay the outcome of relegation? How do you approach it mentally? "The motivation is to get points, to return to winning at the Bentegodi and to avoid relegation at home. These are all factors that must push the team to give their maximum".
What feelings did the recent matches leave you with? "Unfortunately, the points speak for themselves and they have been lacking, but the team has always fought until the end, even against Milan. Of course, talking about fighting without getting results isn’t easy, but as I’ve said before, the team works hard and no one is holding back. We must keep fighting and try to improve, especially at home".
What is your personal assessment after your first ten matches in Serie A? "In terms of points, it’s absolutely negative, and as coaches we are judged on that. From a personal standpoint, it has been a very enriching experience: facing coaches who have won so much is very educational. There is a lot to study and learn; for me it’s part of a growth path".
Looking back, would you change anything? Which young players could get more playing time in the final part of the season? "Coming in mid-season, in a new league, was not easy. I had to adapt to the team and the situation, also with many injuries. Week by week we have worked to give our best. As for the young players, you already know some of them, like De Battisti who has already made his first-team debut. Right now, however, I’m focused on the match against Lecce, then we will make further evaluations".
Have you considered changing something tactically, perhaps using two natural attacking midfielders like Suslov and Harroui behind a striker? "It’s a system we’ve already used against Torino and Milan, when Belghali played in a more advanced role. There are other players who can play in that position, such as Bernede and Isaac. Now that Sarr and Bowie are back, playing with two strikers allows us to be more attacking. These are all viable options that we have already tried and are continuing to evaluate".