On the eve of the upcoming match between Venezia FC and Empoli, scheduled for Saturday, April 25 at 5:15 PM at the Pier Luigi Penzo Stadium, attention around the team is growing.
This morning, Venezia’s defender Ridgeciano Haps spoke to the press, taking stock of both his personal condition and that of the team.



“I feel very good within the team and in the role I play. The coach’s style of play enhances my characteristics, and playing with these teammates makes everything even easier and more enjoyable. I really appreciate Mister Stroppa’s vision and idea of football, and in particular the freedom he gives us on the pitch: it perfectly matches the way I interpret the game.

Not qualifying for the World Cup was a big blow, but now I am completely focused on Venezia and on the goal we want to achieve as soon as possible.

We have to stay focused and take each match one at a time, without distractions. Our focus is exclusively on Empoli.

As I said, the coach gives us freedom of choice on the pitch: it’s up to us to read situations, understand if there are spaces, and decide how to move and make runs. He’s also right in saying that I can still improve and grow. We’ve been in regular discussion since the beginning of the season, and I’m very happy to be able to contribute, both on and off the pitch.

I like engaging with younger teammates, trying to help them with their movement and to keep their concentration and morale high, because in football there are both positive and negative moments. For example, I try to help Richie Sagrado grow, since he plays in my same position, as well as other teammates who may play less. Football is made of ups and downs, and for that reason you always have to stay focused, so you’re ready when your moment comes. It’s a mindset I always try to pass on, especially to younger players.

The fans have been and continue to be fundamental, not only in positive moments but especially in the more difficult ones. They’ve given us great energy, and we’re happy that they’re experiencing such a season. They deserve to celebrate. I’m very pleased with the nickname ‘Ciano’ that they’ve given me—now even my wife calls me that.”

Ridgeciano Haps press conference

e end of the match between Bari and Venezia FC, valid for matchday 35 of Serie BKT and finished 0–3 in favor of the orange-and-green side, head coach Giovanni Stroppa and striker Andrea Adorante analyzed the game as follows.

Giovanni Stroppa, Venezia FC head coach
“

It’s a paradoxical situation: we are having, and have had, an extraordinary season, but the teams behind us are keeping the same pace. There are three matches left—it’s true there isn’t much time—but that little bit we have to earn. We can’t stop at this performance and this result; we need consistency.
Since July we’ve been carrying this wonderful weight on our shoulders. It’s an extraordinary season, built through an equally extraordinary journey, but we absolutely must keep our focus and concentration high. The points that the top teams have now would have been enough to win the league in other seasons, so we must continue like this. By maintaining this level of performance, the future can be really important.
I was very worried before the match, but we were very good at staying focused and balanced, without conceding anything to Bari. There were a couple of dangerous situations, but we handled them well. For the rest, the match was under control and I congratulate the team.
I think there are similarities with the match in Chiavari: by a matter of centimeters, with Adorante’s goal we would have gone 2–0 up and the match would have changed. The dry artificial pitch didn’t allow us to make the most of some favorable situations. I also pointed out an incident at the end that could have been sanctioned, and without that sending-off, the match might have taken a different turn. That said, Entella showed their value with their own weapons.
Today we saw balance and consistency in doing what we always try to bring onto the pitch. It wasn’t easy to find space to highlight the players’ qualities, but after the 2–0 the match became easier

Today we took home three points with a good performance on a difficult pitch. Bari are a well-prepared team, but today we showed great strength. We also got back to winning away from home, and we’re happy about that—we’ll keep fighting match after match. Today I scored my 16th goal; I’m happy and I thank all my teammates. Trying to dominate the game and keep possession is part of our DNA, and with everyone’s contribution we will keep pursuing our objectives

The post-match of Bari - Venezia FC

There are 24 players called up by coach Giovanni Stroppa for matchday 35 of the Serie BKT 25/26 season, which will see Venezia FC face Bari tomorrow at 3:00 PM at the Stadio Comunale San Nicola.

Goalkeepers:
Matteo Grandi, Alessandro Plizzari, Filip Stankovic.

Defenders:
Antoine Hainaut, Ridgeciano Haps, Seid Korac, Richie Sagrado, Ahmed Sidibe, Marin Sverko, Michael Svoboda, Michael Venturi. 

Midfielders:
Emil Bohinen, Gianluca Busio, Mattia Compagnon, Matteo Dagasso, Issa Doumbia, Alfred Duncan, Nunzio Lella, Kike Perez, Alessandro Pietrelli.

Forwards:
Andrea Adorante, Antonio Casas, Lion Lauberbach, John Yeboah.

SERIE BKT 25/26: THE SQUAD CALLED UP FOR BARI - VENEZIA FC

On the eve of the match against Bari, coach Stroppa previews the key themes of the clash and takes stock of the team’s current form. The match against the Apulian side is scheduled for Saturday, April 18 at 3:00 PM at the Stadio Comunale San Nicola.

Giovanni Stroppa, head coach of Venezia FC:
“

In our recent away matches, the performances have always been positive; we’ve just been missing the goal, as in Genoa against Sampdoria and last Saturday against Virtus Entella. The results from our recent away games do not change my playing style or mentality. I believe that when you can’t win, it’s important not to lose, which is what has happened in the last four away matches.

Tomorrow we’ll be without our fans in the stadium, which is a shame—just as it was a shame not to have the support of our curva in the first twenty minutes of recent home matches.

I have great confidence in the group. The team has the right mentality, they train very well, and I’m calm in that regard. Tomorrow, everyone’s mindset will be crucial; the determination to bring home the result will make the difference.

Bari is a difficult team to face because they don’t give you attacking reference points. Up front, they have players who are strong in one-on-one situations, and at home they’ve had a different run compared to away matches. The Apulian side will play with great determination; we must go to Bari thinking that tomorrow is the last match of the season. It’s not a final, but it could become decisive if we win. Regardless of the result, we will calmly continue what we’ve done so far.

Hunger and the determination to secure the result will be that extra mental edge we need to bring onto the pitch tomorrow

Venezia FC

Ridgeciano Haps press conference

The post-match of Bari - Venezia FC

SERIE BKT 25/26: THE SQUAD CALLED UP FOR BARI - VENEZIA FC

The press conference of Giovanni Stroppa