Stroppa: ‘Venezia results do not reflect performances, we must take chances’
VENICE, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 19: SSc Lazio head coach Gennaro Gattuso and Venezia FC head coach Giovanni Stroppa prior the Serie A match between Venezia FC and SS Lazio at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo on September 19, 2026 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi - SS Lazio/Getty Images)
Giovanni Stroppa concedes Venezia could fire him after zero points from five rounds, but ‘the table does not reflect the performances’ including tonight’s 2-0 defeat to Lazio.
It isn’t difficult to see where the problems lie for the Lagunari, who wasted numerous scoring opportunities in the first half, including a John Yeboah penalty parried by Christos Mandas.
Notably, there was some tension around who was meant to step up, as Akor Adams had wanted the ball, until Stroppa on the touchline told Yeboah to take it.
The wasteful finishing was penalised when Lazio ran out 2-0 winners after the break, with a Mattia Zaccagni spot-kick and Tijjani Noslin header.
Stroppa admits Venezia numbers are dire
“The table does not reflect the performances of the team,” Stroppa told Sky Sport Italia.
“You just have to look at the statistics, we had six shots on target, Lazio had two, and we lost 2-0. The first half was exceptional, we were well prepared, the players interpreted it so well.
“The penalty could’ve been a turning point, we didn’t make the most of it, and Lazio did convert their spot-kick instead. Despite that, the team never stopped believing, we didn’t get off balance, but still lost 2-0.”
There had already been some reports that Stroppa could be the third Serie A coach of the season given the axe, after Fabio Grosso at Fiorentina and Bologna’s Domenico Tedesco.
“If I was the President, I would not remove the coach, because the work we’ve done is there for all to see. I am mainly just sad that I don’t have all the players at my disposal,” noted Stroppa.
“Of course, I am not the President, so the decision is not up to me. We’ll see what sways the decision, whether it’s the results or the work we’re doing on a daily basis.”
His lengthy absentee list included Gianluca Busio, Ridgeciano Haps, Andrea Adorante, Armel Bella-Kotchap, Marin Sverko, Bartol Franjic and ex-Lazio midfielder Toma Basic.
Venezia are rock bottom with five defeats out of five, scoring a pitiful four goals and conceding 13, their worst start to the season since 2001/02.
“We could’ve had a very different standing in the table considering the chances that we created in these five games. I have no negative signals from the squad, but the numbers are merciless. We were against Lazio, one of the best teams in the league right now, yet we created so much and allowed so little. You’ve got to take those chances.”
It’s not that they are not creating the opportunities, but there are too many individual errors at both ends of the field.
“With the Noslin goal, perhaps the goalkeeper could’ve come out for the cross. Juan Jesus gave us a big hand today in terms of communication and dictating the tempo.”
Coaches linked with the job at the Stadio Penzo include Igor Tudor and Roberto D’Aversa, but Stroppa had secured their promotion from Serie B by winning the title last term.
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