National Team, Cevoli and Giocondi on the eve of Belarus: “Building on the performance against Albania”

On the eve of the third UEFA Nations League match, San Marino are once again set to face Belarus, an opponent the Titans already met in 2018 in what was the competition debut for both sides. In Budapest, at the pre-match press conference, head coach Roberto Cevoli and defender Simone Giocondi spoke to the media.

“We’re trying to build on the many positive aspects we saw in the game against Albania,” explained Roberto Cevoli, “while knowing we’ll have to pay special attention to Belarus’ characteristics and, above all, to the physical strength they can bring to the pitch.” It will therefore certainly be a different match, against an opponent with significant qualities, but San Marino want to continue along the path they have started.

This idea was echoed by Simone Giocondi, who stressed the importance of the attitude shown in their last outing: “It will definitely be a difficult match, like all those that await us. However, it’s right that we start again from the physical approach and intensity we showed against Albania, because they will be the key to tackling tomorrow’s game in the right way.” The busy schedule also calls for a careful management of energy levels. “Playing four matches in just a few days is something new,” Cevoli explained, “so we need to manage our strength and physical condition. But the lads are in good shape and have recovered.” Asked by the Belarusian press about the strengths and weaknesses he had identified, he added: “They have very few weaknesses. Perhaps the only area we can highlight is that, in certain situations, they allow themselves the odd lapse in tactical application. We’ll have to be good enough to make the most of whatever we are given.” The match will be played tomorrow at 18:00 in Budapest, behind closed doors. It will, however, be broadcast live free-to-air on San Marino RTV (CH. 550 DTT).

Below are the 23 players called up by Roberto Cevoli, following the official training session in which Gabriel Capicchioni experienced discomfort in his right quadriceps.