Farioli began with news regarding Josip Šutalo, who will not be available due to ongoing medical issues. "Everyone is fit except Šutalo. He is still recovering from his illness and needs more time than expected," said Farioli. Steven Berghuis, on the other hand, is available and is considered a key player to bring control and connection to the game. Farioli expressed satisfaction with the physical condition of his team after the short winter break: "The players returned in good shape. They followed their programmes and we prioritised recovery, as the upcoming period will be intense."
First half of the season
Farioli briefly reflected on the performances of the past months but wanted to focus mainly on what lies ahead. "This is not the time to look back. We have a clear direction, and the goal was to finish in the top three. That is what we are working on now," said the coach, who emphasised that "a new chapter begins here." With 39 points in the league and ten points in the Europa League, Farioli sees room for improvement but also reasons for satisfaction. "The data shows that we have outworked our opponents in 21 of the thirty games. That says something about our commitment and professionalism."
Looking ahead to RKC
Regarding Saturday night's opponent, Farioli was clear: "RKC is a team that shows courage. They switch between high pressing and a low defensive block. We expect a direct style of play, with plenty of early crosses and speed in their attack." The coach highlighted the importance of the match: "It is the first step of the new year, and we have all the motivation to make our supporters happy. Consistency and developing dominance are our goals for the second half of the season."
Development
Farioli also spoke about the process within the team and his pride in the professionalism of his players. "I might be one of the few coaches in Europe who has nothing to complain about regarding his players. This is a huge achievement and a compliment to them and the staff who work with them daily. Of course, there are still things to improve because the moment you stop improving, you start going backwards."
With the focus on the upcoming matches and the desire to further develop consistency and dominance, Farioli concluded: "What we have done is done. From now on, we evaluate what we will do."
