Cia before playout: “I’ve never experienced such an atmosphere before”

St. Georgen has one 2-1 win at Este saved into the playout. There, coach Patrizio Morini's team will face Belluno away, which had collected two points more last season. The signs are clear: The “Jergina” have to win the game after 120 minutes at the latest in order to be able to play in Italy’s fourth highest division next season. A defeat or a draw would result in relegation to the top league.

Leo Brugger's goal prevented the “Jergina” from being relegated.

But the pressure will not be on St. Georgen, like top performers Michael Cia and Leo Brugger SportNews -Interview confirmed.

SportNews: Mr. Cia and Mr. Brugger, how would you describe the mood in the team after the win at Este?

Michael CIA: “The atmosphere is of course excellent and everyone in the team believes that we can now win in Belluno. We played an excellent game on Sunday, also because we didn’t allow any additional pressure to build up from outside.” “Just reaching the playout is a miracle.” Leo Brugger Leo Brugger: “The mood at Este was already good before the game. The fact that we reached the playout is nothing short of a miracle. It speaks for the mentality and character in our team that we kept calm after the 1-1 draw and came back again. We got 36 points and had a great season, which we want to celebrate on Sunday.”

How would you describe the pressure situation? “I already have huge respect for the team” Michael Ci Ci: “We have never lost against Belluno this season (editor's note: 1-0 win at home; 0-0 away). That could be a small psychological advantage for us. At St. Georgen there is relatively little pressure compared to the professional clubs in Italy. I already have huge respect for our team because most of the players work part-time or study. That's why football is viewed here with the necessary relaxedness, something I've never experienced before. I feel extremely comfortable in the club, also because the atmosphere within the team is a different reality compared to my previous positions. “

Brugger: “The pressure is clearly on the home team. Belluno is the capital of a province and has been playing in Serie D for years. We are not professional footballers who have to play for any contracts.

How do you want to approach the game?

Ci: “We want to approach the match in a similar way to how we did against Este, when we also had our backs to the wall from a sporting point of view and didn't seem nervous at all on the pitch. Belluno has a physically good team. It will be important to find the right mix between offense and defense. We want to play forward – like we did against Este – but also keep a clean sheet at the back. Because every goal we concede makes the task even more difficult, after all we have to win the game in the end.” “We only have this one chance” Leo Brugger Brugger: “We only have this one chance and we have to play to win. So there is no big tactic, which could be an advantage for us. Physically we are in good shape, which could also benefit us if the contract is extended. What also makes me positive is that some long-term injured people like Thomas Piffrader are back.” Serie D (Group C), playout (Sunday 15 p.m.) Belluno – St. Georgen Tamai – Levico Terme

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Cia before playout: “I’ve never experienced such an atmosphere before”

St. Georgen has to win the playout game in Belluno on Sunday to avoid relegation to the top league. SportNews spoke to Michael Cia and Leo Brugger before the all-or-nothing game.

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