View from the Opposition: Spezia

Spezia have already played 18 Serie B games and come through three rounds in the cup. What have you made of their start to the season?

“They've blown hot and cold. They got off to a decent start, had a bad spell in the middle which led to Nenad Bjelica getting the sack and now they're doing well again under Domenico Di Carlo.

"After narrowly missing out on promotion to Serie A last term, Spezia made another good start to the campaign this year, collecting 14 points from their first seven games with two away wins, two home wins and just one – undeserved – defeat, 4-3 to Bari.

"Everything seemed to suggest they could mount a serious challenge for one of the automatic promotion spots but then suddenly it all fell apart with no real reason other than a few too many injuries. Either way, they picked up just three points between Week 8 and Week 14, suffering heavy 5-1 losses at the hands of Cesena and Trapani. That led to the change in the dugout, with Bjelica being replaced by Di Carlo.

"He lost to Crotone in his first game in charge then got a lucky 2-2 draw at Pescara followed by two home wins against Vicenza and Latina, and those two games got confidence back up again, thanks partly to the fans.

"As for the Coppa Italia, Spezia played the first two rounds in August under Bjelica, beating Brescia 1-0 at home then winning a shootout against Frosninone. With Di Carlo at the helm they beat Salernitana 2-0 on 1 December at the Stadio Picco. Salernitana seemed demotivated for that match while Spezia were really up for it knowing that the winner would get a shot at Roma. They produced a big performance and got the win – much to the joy of their fans. On Wednesday those fans will get the chance to visit a wonderful stadium in the Olimpico. They can't wait for the Coppa Italia game here!”

Who has been Spezia's most consistent player so far?



"Claudio Terzi, above all. The 31-year-old defender has already played in Serie A for Bologna, Siena and Palermo. In my opinion, he could play for a variety of teams in the top flight. As I've said, Spezia could have picked up more points in the league if he hadn't got injured.

"Alongside him, I'd also like to mention the striker Andrea Catellani. Last year he was the top goalscorer in Serie B with 19 goals. This season – even if he's only bagged three so far – he's still making a big contribution to the team."

What has been Spezia's best performance of the season and why?



"The 2-1 victory away against Salernitana in Week 3 with goals coming from Josip Brezovec and Catellani. With Bjelica still at the helm, the team played really well on that day, giving few chances away and showing clinical finishing at a ground that has historically always been very difficult to play at.

"Under Di Carlo's stewardship, I would say the best performance in terms of the way we played was at home against Latina last time out.

"Solely taking the Coppa Italia ties so far against Brescia, Frosinone and Salernitana, I think Spezia were at their best in the last round against the team from Salerno, winning 2-0. Both players and fans really wanted the win on that occasion, with the knowledge that Roma were up next acting as a great incentive for everyone.”

What has been the worst match and what went wrong?

"Spezia's worst performance of the season was the league trip away to Trapani when the team were thrashed 5-1 by a team that the Bianconeri certainly have the beating of. That debacle probably signaled the end of Bjelica's time in the dugout. Even if the Croatian coach stayed on for a further two games before departing, I think that game in Sicily showed that he had lost the dressing room."

Which area of the Spezia team has been the strongest so far and which has been the least effective?




"It's not an easy question to answer because, as I've already said, Spezia's season has been characterised by highs and lows, so defence, midfield and attack have all had both good and bad days.

"The forwards aren't scoring in buckets and only managed three goals in a game once against Bari, when the team ended up losing 4-3 anyway.

"In general, the defence has done better – if you take away the huge black marks of the two 5-1 defeats against Cesena and Trapani. Had we not conceded those ten goals, we could have said the defence was the strongest, but in view of those awful showings we shouldn't laud it as such.

"I can certainly tell you that the midfield has been the least effective, or is at least performing under expectations. Juande's off-colour performances are dragging the midfield down – last year the Spaniard was one of the key players in the squad that achieved fifth place, setting the rhythm for the team's play.

"The team is also feeling the absence of the promising Bosnian winger Zoran Kvrzic, who tore his cruciate ligament at the end of October."

From what you’ve seen of all the Coppa Italia teams, which side has impressed you the most so far?

“Of the three sides Spezia have faced in this season’s competition, the toughest was definitely Brescia in August. That was right at the start of the season, so the teams weren’t completely settled.

"In more general terms, even with the big clubs not yet involved you certainly can’t underestimate Alessandria’s achievement in beating Palermo in the fourth round to qualify for the last 16. Crotone too – they pushed AC Milan right to the wire in extra time at the San Siro, coming within a whisker of pulling off a big upset.”

What have you made of Roma’s season so far?




“It’s been a bit of a strange season, in the sense that they started excellently with a win over Juventus and a home draw against Barcelona in the Champions League, and they kept their good form up until at least the second international break. I have to say I wasn’t expecting their results to fall off so much.

"Perhaps the defeat at the Camp Nou had a psychological effect. That said, Garcia’s squad is of a very high level and I think they’ll at least qualify for the Champions League again this season. In addition to that, it’s worth pointing out that Roma have probably been the most consistent side in Serie A over the last ten years, so after so many second-placed finishes maybe they deserve to win it.”

Who is the Roma player most Spezia fans fear?

“To be honest, looking at the difference between the two squads, all of them! But if I really have to choose one I’ll go for Gervinho – provided he plays that is, because I think there are still doubts around that – given the Ivorian’s strengths and the fact that the Spezia defence is not the quickest.”

If you could add one Roma player to Spezia’s team, who would you pick and why?




“Under Bjelica’s old system I would have said Gervinho because of his pace, something that was lacking in the Croatian’s team. But in terms of Di Carlo’s side I would go for Daniele De Rossi – his qualities as a midfielder in both attack and defence are unrivalled.”

What’s your score prediction for Wednesday?

“The bookies are giving odds of 10/1on Spezia winning at the Olimpico, so that says it all really… everything points to a Roma win! The only hope for Spezia is that the Giallorossi underestimate the match and already have their minds on Genoa in the league.”