Palermo's match against Monza will be like a "playoff" for Serie A.

"I am happy also because tomorrow our people will be there, the boys have rallied our fans because they have shown to be a real team. We know that we are here, that we know how to win matches even while suffering." This is how the Rosanero coach Pippo Inzaghi spoke on the eve of the big match between Monza and Palermo, scheduled for tomorrow at 5:15 PM at the U-Power Stadium.

"Now we are in good hands - says Inzaghi - in the hands of a team that has an identity, a great captain, great captains who understand what it means to wear the Palermo shirt. The path is set, I don't know when we will get there but this is the first great result achieved and we have succeeded through hard work, with choices, and by focusing on this core of players who are giving us so much, because otherwise you don't win nine consecutive home matches and lose only one out of seventeen. We are proud but we know we have to keep going like this, I demand it. We are going to play a match against a team that was relegated last year and has a squad worthy of Serie A. There are eight finals left and everything is in our hands."

Tomorrow Palermo has the chance to catch Monza in second place: "I want to think about what I transmit to the boys: if we didn't have two Serie A teams in front of us, along with Frosinone, we would be up there. This league is unusual and we have to fight against strong teams, but we fight, we have closed the gap in the last seventeen matches, but we know that as soon as we let up by a centimeter we risk it. I am confident, I am happy to coach these boys. Eight matches ago I gave the team a plan and hoped to arrive at this clash so close. The first leg clash helps us understand how far we were from Monza back then and how close we are to them today. We have the opportunity to play a great match, we need to give the idea that we are here."

At the “Barbera” it ended 0-3 for the Brianzoli, the only home defeat of the Rosanero this season: "In October it was normal that we were distant from Monza, which has a Serie A team and has played in Serie A for years. We had to get closer to them through work - says the Rosanero coach - and to date the distance is only defined by the first leg match. For now it seems that the path is right, but I expect the team to always improve because this team can improve a lot and has young players who can do well. I hoped to have grown from October until now and I am happy that the team has convinced itself that it can compete until the end, thanks to hard work."

No hints about the lineup choices he will make tomorrow, but “I have some doubts - says Inzaghi - and I’m happy that we’re playing again on Tuesday, because those who don’t play tomorrow will have the opportunity. Most of all, it will be given by those who come off the bench, I have twenty-four players ready and the embarrassment of choice is definitely an advantage for me.”