In the press room at Orogel Stadium-Dino Manuzzi, Coach Alessandro Diamanti previewed the Cesena FC-US Avellino match, part of Matchday 7 of the 2026/27 Serie BKT season, scheduled for Sunday, October 18, at 5:15 p.m.
“The team is doing well. As I’ve said before, we need to find the right balance between draws, wins, and losses. Clearly, we analyze the game with the team in a clear-headed, balanced, and fair way. The loss to Benevento certainly stings, but it’s also a loss that, having watched the match, was deserved. I say this because it would be too easy to complain about the post or an offside call: it was a deserved loss because, for the first time, we let that half-centimeter — the edge that sets us apart — slip away. We can’t afford that. In terms of spirit, second balls, and one-on-one battles, we weren’t on par with Benevento: they wanted it more than we did, and that really stung us. It stung us deeply—the players and the entire team—because we can’t afford to lose even a centimeter of the spirit that must always set us apart. We told each other this, we promised each other this, and the week went very well. I think it was the right and smart analysis for a team that wants to grow and perform well. Spirit is non-negotiable. I’m not saying it wasn’t there, but it wasn’t there as it should have been, and the team recognized that — because these are mature young men who always want to grow and perform well.”
“We prepared for the match based on Avellino’s strengths; they’re a strong team with a lot of quality, and they’re proving it. They’re a team with great character, strong players, and a very good coach. We’ll need to excel in many areas: counterattacks will certainly be something they’ll try to exploit — as is only natural — but we’ve worked hard and seriously on that. I’ll say it again: our focus must be 100%, as must our determination, because we could dominate the game or they could — but the team mustn’t lose, even for a second, that desire to win one-on-one battles, fight for loose balls, and push forward even when we have possession. We had that in Benevento, but in a way that I felt was a bit ineffective: instead, our possession must be aimed at creating scoring chances, because we can do it and we have all the tools to put any opponent in trouble.”
“Tomorrow will be a great, intense game, and honestly, we can’t wait to take the field. I’m happy that Avellino is coming; they’re one of the hottest teams in the league. I’m also glad that away fans have been allowed back, so there’ll be a lively atmosphere and it’ll be a real match. It’s a good test after a loss, and it’s a good test for the guys to take another step up from where we are now. Also, I’ll say it again: our season will be all about avoiding relegation. Don’t look at the league standings — I’ve always played in leagues where survival was the goal. I have experience and I know what that means: there will be ups and downs, as is only natural, but we’ll always give 100%, and the guys will always give 100% because they’re a serious, mature team that cares deeply—and that’s very important.”
The full press conference is available on Cesena FC’s YouTube channel:
