It’s an endless cycle of rough hits, almost a highlight without highlights. And proof that the strategists themselves in Lugano don’t know what to do. White smoke rises again over Rezega, followed by the last volt of Ticino’s strategists: Matti Alatalo, father of Nati defender Santeri Alatalo, is brought into the team as assistant coach to rookie Gianinazzi.
Although those with team experience (and Lugano has plenty of it in the senior management team) know that the father-son bond can – and in all likelihood will – poison the internal climate of any team. The mere suspicion that a son will at some point be treated in a special way (whether he is given preference or even clearly infringed) inevitably leads to emotions that cause unrest in the wardrobe. As if the fires in southern Ticino were not enough.
Alalalo Senior will not be able to prevent the burning of the inexperienced Gianinazzi if he remains unsuccessful. McSorley’s successor is already pissed after three losses in a row. It is now imperative that Gianinazzi be shielded from the industry forces of performance culture. But to do that, you’d have to put a seasoned leader next to or in front of him (if possible, with an NHL seal of approval). Someone like Mark Crawford or Bob Hartley. The one in front of which everyone immediately stands at attention, clicks their heels and then blindly obeys orders.