Di Francesco touches the heart: «Lecce, Graziano will lead us»

"I thank president Sticchi Damiani, directors Corvino and Trinchera and the entire club for the opportunity they gave me to return to Lecce 14 years after my previous experience. Regardless of how it ended, I am proud of what my past in Salento was. I am here with my new staff, but my thoughts go to Graziano Fiorita, a true friend, who we will miss. We will fight to reach salvation with him who will guide us from up there". It is with these words that the new Giallorossi coach Eusebio Di Francesco introduces himself in the "Sergio Vantaggiato" press room.

He then makes a comparison with 2011/2012: «I find a completely different situation. At the time there was a club that was exhausting its cycle, with many players on loan. It was a particular climate. Today I can count on a solid company, with a plan that looks to the future, with many owned players. Furthermore, I was inexperienced. The adventure of 14 years ago was characterized by an alternation of strange results. Above all the incredible 3-4 against Milan at the “Via del Mare”, after having closed the first half ahead 3-0. It is one of the reasons why I strongly wanted this club». Regarding the chosen module he is clear: «It is 4-3-3 but, while the playing system remains the same, the defensive and offensive tactical attitudes change depending on the opponents you face, their characteristics. This is the evolution of modern football. The construction from the bottom must never be an end in itself, but the means to get to score. And in any case the choice depends on how the opponents come to you because if they choose one-on-one they are the ones who determine. In the same way, if instead they "wait for you", then throwing the ball forward means handing it to the defender».

On his attitude in the locker room, with the players, he underlines: «I am myself. I know what I want from the players and I know how and when to use the carrot or the stick. But above all I believe in dialogue, in sharing and in making people understand what is done in daily work and for what purposes». He comes from two relegations, matured at the helm of Frosinone, in 2023/2024, and Venezia, in 2024/2025: «The past is a great container of experiences. From all points of view. In the first year in Ciociaria, they took away our safety a bit. In a season, then, there are some key passages. In the experience in the lagoon, one of these coincided with the first leg against Lecce. At the end of the first half, no one would have imagined a victory for the Salento team, but we created a lot without scoring». On the market he clarifies: «The characteristics of the individuals make the difference. I'll give you an example. If they have a full-back who is more inclined to push than to defend, it is important to have another who provides greater guarantees in the non-possession phase. We will try to create "pairs" that have different skills. Furthermore, players who know how to overcome the man in one-on-one situations, giving numerical superiority, are very important. Last season, Krstovic proved to be an excellent striker, but I think that in Giallorossi there are very interesting young players and also some players who just need to find that brilliance that they have already shown in the past. I am thinking of Banda, who needs to find his confidence again".

On the choice to settle down with the club on Via Colonel Costadura, he emphasizes: «Thinking back to my past in Salento, I have good memories of Lecce. I have many friends here. I returned to this land on vacation. When I told Massimo Neri (the athletic trainer ed.) that Lecce called me, he replied without hesitation: “accept immediately”. I would add that between me and the director Corvino there is a history that dates back to the time when he was at Fiorentina (he would have wanted him at “Viola” ed.)». On the atmosphere at the “Via del Mare”: «As an opponent, playing in Lecce is not easy at all. Because of the passion of the fans, because of their attachment to the shirt, because the stadium is always full, because of the enormous number of season ticket holders. It will then be up to us to get the public on our side. First of all with the attitude, which must always be to give everything. Then with the game and with the results». In the 4-3-3 the director will have a significant weight: «He must know how to move the ball first of all vertically, between the lines, communicate with his teammates, but also defend. He must have physicality, running and technique. Pierret is able to cover the role». In the module he intends to implement there is no room for the attacking midfielder. What will be the fate of Helgason? «He can play as a mezzala, who must be a bit of an attacking midfielder when attacking. The way in which you defend changes instead. Football is dynamic, not static».

The final comment is on the Lecce that is expected: «Our strength must be balance in every sense. In attitudes, but above all on the field. Lecce must know when to suffer and defend, but also when to attack and attack the opponents».