Bortolo Mutti is pleased with Palermo’s recent performances, but warns the season’s end will be difficult due to fatigue.
The Rosanero’s point in the Sicilian derby on Saturday, when combined with defeats for Lecce and Genoa the next day, moved the club closer to mathematical safety in Week 35.
Whilst Mutti reflected on the likeliness that the team will now stay up, he has also looked ahead to Tuesday’s test away to Napoli and warned that the effects of three games in a week will begin to be felt.
Bortolo Mutti is pleased with Palermo’s recent performances, but warns the season’s end will be difficult due to fatigue.
The Rosanero’s point in the Sicilian derby on Saturday, when combined with defeats for Lecce and Genoa the next day, moved the club closer to mathematical safety in Week 35.
Whilst Mutti reflected on the likeliness that the team will now stay up, he has also looked ahead to Tuesday’s test away to Napoli and warned that the effects of three games in a week will begin to be felt.
“Our goal was to reach 40 points, but gradually the bar was raised by a few points. The results yesterday were reassuring,” began Mutti to the media on Monday.
“I’m happy for the work I have done here. I did what was asked from the President, to keep the team away from the relegation zone and to introduce some different players.
“However, we don’t want to fool anyone, but we are extremely tired and it will be difficult for some of the players to recover in time [for midweek].
“I would like to reward some of our guys who have trained steadily, but there are also considerations of balance to be evaluated too.
“Napoli is important and I still do not know what team we’re going to put in place tomorrow night. I want to work with the resources that are best.”
Mutti is without Fabrizio Miccoli and Andrea Mantovani through injury, but he also revealed how others may be given a rest.
“For Miccoli, it is just heavy muscle fatigue, I’m sorry, but I am also sure that those who play will do well. Also I am without Mantovani, who has suffered a hamstring injury.
“During the derby on Saturday five of my players asked to be substituted – [Massimo] Donati, [Nicolas] Bertolo, Miccoli – their legs had gone. It’s a particular moment right now, but we will push hard.
“I hope we repeat the performance from the second half against Catania. We must try to play our game without conceding goals and without the weight of a mental block.”