Catania coach Maurizio Pellegrino hopes that his team can pull off a miracle and stay in Serie A.
The match against Sampdoria will be the first home game for Pellegrino after he was hired to coach the first team, following Rolando Maran’s second sacking of the season, though the Elefanti sit rock bottom of Serie A with just 20 points.
“It will be important for us to have a packed stadium, the support can influence us, we suffered when we did not have the fans close to us,” Pellegrino told Itasportpress.
“Anyway, we have to try to play the game and win it.”
He discussed what they have to do to beat Sampdoria and in the last games.
“We have to be sharp offensively,” he continued. “We have to make as many points as possible in these last five games and then draw the balance at the end.”
Against Milan, Pellegrino gave the captain’s armband to Pablo Barrientos.
“It was my choice,” the tactician continued. “I wanted to give him more sense of responsibility, we will see who I will give it to on Saturday.
“The president said right things speaking about the future and the pride you must have playing here.”
He weighed in on his future, claiming that he does not want to be a burden for Catania.
“I have not spoken with the management for next season,” Pellegrino stated.
“I have everything to lose because if he we got relegated I would feel as I have failed and I would be ready to step aside and return to the youth sector, which is one of the best in Europe.
“Compared to other coaches, I have an advantage as I wore the jersey of this club.”
He concluded by speaking of the possibility of going to Serie B.
“It would be stupid not to talk about it,” he concluded. “We have to be aware of the difficulties but we hope to finish the season in the best way and miracles do happen in football.”
