Serie BKT 2026/27 | Head Coach Marco Baroni's words ahead of #ModenaVerona

Verona - Comments from Hellas Verona head coach Marco Baroni, given two days before Modena-Hellas Verona, the matchday 6 fixture of the 2026/27 Serie BKT, scheduled for Sunday, 11 October at 7:30PM at the Alberto Braglia Stadium.

Is there a real desire to get going again and see what kind of Verona will take to the pitch at the Braglia? "We've been working towards this. Obviously, it was an unusual break that lasted several days, but it gave us the opportunity to work and also put in a good performance in the friendly against Lugano. We're eager to see the results of the work we've done".

Do you think Verona still need to improve in terms of balance, an area you've already started working on to help the team make progress? "In football, we don't have time; the horizon is always short, but that's how it should be, and that's what we're working on. It takes a little time to build consistency. Our focus is precisely on finding consistency in our performances. The team is focused on this objective. It's a group that works hard and shows great commitment. We need these matches against strong opponents to get the answers we're looking for".

How are the players doing physically? "Suslov returned from international duty with a few minor knocks. He sat out today and I think he will do the same tomorrow, but we'll see. Mosquera is back, as are Frese and Bradaric, although they're not yet at their best in terms of match fitness. Mulattieri is also fine. Serdar has had a few issues due to the heavy workload, but his knee is fine. We've eased off a little now to manage the overload".

You said the break would also give you the opportunity to work on different solutions, as we saw against Lugano. Will you continue down that path or stick with what we've seen in the league so far? "My aim is to have a team structure that remains unchanged. I've always talked to you about the midfield and the three midfielders, who can play with one at the top of the triangle and one at the base, or with a forward positioned within the upper part of the triangle, playing just behind the striker. We're working on both solutions, and it will also depend on the condition of certain players. Ekuban has trained consistently for two weeks, so we want to get him into the best possible shape as well. We've also got Mosquera back in that respect. We always need to have an alternative, so we'll continue working on these two solutions".

Verona score plenty of goals and are among the most prolific teams in Serie B. At the same time, however, they also concede a lot. How can Verona improve in these areas? "The number of goals conceded is there for everyone to see, but we're among the teams that allow the fewest shots on target. We defend high up the pitch and sometimes, when you have 30-40 metres of space behind you, particularly at the start of the season, you can make mistakes that become more noticeable. We're following the path we've set out on, the group believes in what it's doing, and we'll keep going. For me, balance is never just about defending; it's something the entire team has to achieve".

You'll need to find that consistency against a very strong opponent in Modena. This is a big match. "Modena have an important and ambitious ownership structure. They've just inaugurated a state-of-the-art training centre, which I've read involved an investment of €18 million, and they've also put together a strong team. At the moment, they have some of the best statistics both defensively and offensively, so they're a quality side with plenty of physical strength. That's a good thing, because it will be a very difficult match for us, and we want to test ourselves against teams like this".

Could Serdar be like a new signing after this break? How is he doing and how is his integration into the team progressing? Where would you play him? "When I arrived, Serdar was moving between the role of a central midfielder and that of a wing-back, without a clearly defined position. That's why I carved out a role for him that better suits his characteristics. He's a strong midfielder, a holding midfielder, a player who combines quality, consistency and physical strength throughout a match. Of course, I'm waiting for him to get back to where he was when I last had him available. During this process, he's had a few minor muscular problems. He's been working hard and his knee is fine, but we've eased off a little because we need to manage the overload he had been subjected to. Cruciate ligament surgery is always a major procedure, so even when the clinical and rehabilitation process is complete, there's still a whole phase of reintegration into training that requires a little more time".

There's a significant statistic regarding the period between the 52nd and 65th minutes, during which Verona have conceded five of the seven goals they've let in so far. It suggests a possible lapse in concentration, especially since on some occasions, such as against Ascoli and in Benevento, another goal followed shortly after the first. What's your assessment? "It's certainly an area we're working on and one we're aware of, as a team. There's a process of growth underway, as I've already told you. Some players may be experiencing their first season as regular starters: they're now starting matches, whereas previously they were more accustomed to coming off the bench, and they also need to learn how to manage the break between the two halves. We'll certainly pay closer attention to this. When I spoke about consistency, I was referring precisely to this aspect of our performances during a match. A team that wants to play on the front foot and has an attacking philosophy cannot afford lapses in concentration, determination or mental and physical presence. Otherwise, it exposes itself to greater risks than a team that sits deeper and tends to play a more pragmatic game, relying on transitions and counter-attacks".

You mentioned earlier that Bradaric and Frese are not yet at 100% in terms of match fitness. Does that mean the young De Battisti deserves your full confidence? "De Battisti is a young player who's making significant progress, but we'd already seen that during pre-season. He actually had the opportunity to leave, and I asked the Director to keep him because he's a player who came through the youth academy, has physical strength and quality, and is continuing to develop. That doesn't mean we don't have two more experienced players who are more established in that position. At the moment, however, Frese is returning from surgery, while Bradaric suffered a muscular contusion that prevented him from playing against Vicenza. The youngster has been putting in good performances, so it's very likely he'll keep his place".

Another young player I think you're keeping a close eye on is Calabrese. With Edmundsson back from international duty, could Calabrese enjoy more regular playing time at this stage? "He's no surprise to me because, from the very first day we started working together, he's shown tremendous commitment and concentration. For me, he's a reliable player, someone I can count on. I'm assessing the situation of the players who have been away on international duty. You mentioned Suslov earlier, who played four matches in eleven days. Edmundsson missed the last game through suspension, but he played the others and had to travel. In this situation, my focus, along with that of the coaching staff, is on assessing the physical and mental condition of the players returning from international duty, with the few days we have available. We'll also use tomorrow's training session to carry out a further assessment".

How do you approach a team like Modena, who are probably the most attack-minded opponents you've faced in the first six matches and play in a way that's very similar to your own? "They're a team with quality and a great deal of movement, which is obviously something that causes opponents problems. We're aware of the quality of our opponents and have great respect for them, but we're focusing above all on what we need to do on the pitch. As I said earlier, they have quality players who are also physically strong. Modena's style of play is very interesting and will raise the level of the match even further".

How much of your season will depend on away matches? "I'd like to have a team that breaks away from this sense of inferiority. At home or away, it's the same pitch: the opponents you face away from home are the same ones you also play at home. When I talk about having a strong identity, this is precisely what I mean. Once a team becomes aware of what it can do on the pitch, it must be able to do it on any ground. Of course, there's an opponent to consider, and sometimes they're better than you. In that case, we'll shake their hands".

With Compagnon injured, having unfortunately also suffered a cruciate ligament injury, have you already identified his replacement? Are you considering starting Cerbone on the right, for example? Can he play in that position, or are you more inclined to field Livramento? "Cerbone has also returned from international duty. Although he didn't play much, he hasn't trained particularly well because of a minor problem, so I'm keeping an eye on him. Sezonienko is another option on that side, and he's making a lot of progress. We're working on defining his role because he's a player who's very willing to adapt. When we assessed him, we saw a player with potential, even though he doesn't yet have a clearly defined position: he's played as a winger, as a second striker and also as a centre-forward. Thanks to his willingness to adapt, he's increasingly carving out a role for himself which I believe could be an important one. We have both him and Livramento, who I think can do well, and for now we're working with them".

In a recent interview, you said that names on shirts don't count in this division, that hard work is essential, and that some players are already fully focused while others still need to get there. Have these players developed the right mentality? "I've always said that there have been teams relegated from a division who then went down another level. This shows that when a team like Verona, who have spent many years in Serie A, drop into Serie B, they face a different reality and must have the ability and humility to adapt to it. It's a different division, with more aggression, more running and less time on the ball, so you have to be quicker. For me, it's essential to build a group and develop its collective value, focusing on merit rather than reputation. This must be a motivating factor for everyone, both those who have already played at a high level and those who are eager to make a name for themselves. It's a value I always try to instil in my teams".