The coach of Triestina, Giuseppe Marino, is the first to believe in the team`s ability to avoid relegation, despite a 20-point penalty. He states, “I started believing after the fourth match. Our motivation is incredibly high; we would make history.”
Giuseppe Marino
In Trieste, against all odds, resilience, a touch of audacity, and the boldness of those who recognize a monumental opportunity are required. Giuseppe Marino, affectionately known as Geppino, a 42-year-old Neapolitan, is the coach tasked with steering Triestina away from the abyss of a 20-point penalty. Having previously served as the Primavera (youth team) coach and interim first-team manager, he readily accepted the challenge to take the helm during a turbulent summer. The team initially faced a seven-point deduction, with the certainty that more penalties would follow. Indeed, after eight matches, their standing is -8 points: three wins, three draws, and only two losses have significantly reduced the initial deficit. A change in ownership has also markedly improved the team`s atmosphere. However, the path ahead remains arduous, especially with the looming threat of further penalties from the TFN hearing on October 23rd. Yet, there`s a glimmer of hope…
Let`s cut to the chase: Do you genuinely believe in avoiding relegation?
“Absolutely, and this isn`t just a matter of principle. It`s a belief we cultivate daily, both in training and during games. My conviction solidified in Lumezzane, during the fourth matchday, when we were trailing but managed a 2-1 victory in the final thirty minutes.”
How many points do you estimate are necessary?
“We`ll need to earn around fifty points on the field to realistically contend for the playout positions. However, it`s not entirely within our control.”
What`s the morale like in the locker room, and do the players respond to your leadership?
“We`re embarking on a challenge that could be historically significant, so the players` motivation is naturally sky-high. The toughest part is coping with setbacks, as a loss under our circumstances feels much heavier. Our immediate goal is to eliminate the negative points from our league standing; reaching zero will provide a crucial psychological boost.”
Are you employing any specific motivational strategies?
“Nothing out of the ordinary. I`ve prominently displayed the league table without penalties on the wall; it shows us with 12 points, well within the playoff zone. That reflects our true potential, and we must keep it in sight. I also enjoy using the piggy bank metaphor, which reminds me of my childhood: I tell the lads that we need to fill it with points and only `break it open` once our mission is complete.”
Your squad includes significant players like Silvestri, Ionita, Crnigoj, D’Urso, and Vertainen, who could easily play for top-tier clubs. Do you foresee a potential exodus in January?
“I look them in the eye every day, and I refuse to believe that any of them would want to abandon this project, beyond any standard transfer market activities the club might pursue.”
You`re garnering significant praise, but have you ever felt you deserved a less challenging role in Serie C?
“Straightforward situations aren`t typically offered to up-and-coming coaches, especially those like myself who have worked their way up from lower levels.”
On that note: beyond your extensive work in youth football, you also gained valuable experience in women`s football, guiding Napoli back to Serie A. Are there any lessons from that period that you still find beneficial?
“Working with the female players significantly enhanced my group management abilities, which is a crucial aspect of my current role. I learned to strike a balance between demanding peak performance in training, where I always aim for the highest standards, and recognizing when it`s essential to ease the intensity. My former players, whom I still hold dear, were technically amateurs; naturally, with the advent of professionalism, particularly in top clubs, things have evolved.”
How is your relationship with the city?
“The organized fan groups have opted not to attend matches after numerous past disappointments, and we certainly feel their absence. We hope to win them back soon, and I trust that, eventually, their passion for the club`s colors and for those who honor them daily will take precedence.”
Is the club providing adequate support?
“We have everything we need, and everyone is committed to achieving this challenging goal. Key figures like Sporting Director Michele Franco and Team Manager Kevin Marulla have arrived, providing invaluable support. Kevin consistently advises us to remain calm, and he`s quite the expert in dramatic escapes from relegation – his Cosenza triumph in 2020 was legendary across Europe.”
