In the world of football, success can sometimes come down to a few crucial moments. A perfectly-timed pass, a crucial tackle, or a well-executed set-piece can be the difference between a win and a loss. For the Bentleigh Greens, this is a fact that new coach Riccardo Marchioli knows all too well.
It follows then that for Marchioli, success can’t be defined by just wins and losses but by ensuring his team is continuing to improve with every training session and game.
“Every time we are together right now, it is a chance to continue taking positive steps,” he said ahead of Monday’s clash with Oakleigh Cannons. “Thursday night was a unique opportunity to keep refining our approach against a determined and spirited opponent.”
Marchioli, who has overseen two wins in his first two games in charge, is determined to keep the momentum going. “Every game is a chance to be better than before and play the kind of football that we can feel proud of,” he said. “We don’t look back too far as improvement is about taking positive steps each time we are together on the pitch.”
The Greens will need to be at their best against a strong Oakleigh side, who defeated them 4-0 in the Community Shield earlier this season. But Marchioli is focused on his own team’s performance. “Our last league game and the past week’s training have shown what we are capable of,” he said. “Every match for us is a chance to play the type of football that makes people remember why they fell in love with football. If we do that each time we step onto the pitch, success will follow.”
For the Greens, success has been hard to come by this season, but the appointment of Marchioli has injected new life into the team. With a renewed sense of purpose and a desire to play attractive, attacking football, the Greens will be hoping to continue their winning ways against Oakleigh. As Marchioli puts it, “Success is about taking positive steps each time we are together on the pitch.”