Mathematically, they still need a point, but the 2-1 success in the derby against Atletico Uri is a decent guarantee for Olbia's direct salvation.
With one matchday to go in the Serie D championship, with 41 points in the standings, Ze Maria's team will only need a draw on Sunday against a Gelbison team already certain of second place to confirm their place in the category at the end of one of the most troubled seasons in the club's history.
At the “Nespoli”, in front of its fans, Olbia will aim for victory. The defeat in the first leg must be avenged, but, above all, it is better not to take risks, with five teams now fighting to avoid thirteenth place which is worth the playouts: in addition to Olbia, Trastevere, Latte Dolce, Ilvamaddalena and Real Monterotondo.
Meanwhile, the whites are enjoying yesterday's success. "It's a very important victory, one of character. The team played well, was aggressive, and we took advantage of the opportunities we had," Ze Maria exults.
"We also suffered, as was normal, against a good team that was playing for safety: on long balls we risked something and we conceded a goal that, I'm not saying that it scared us, but there was the fear that it could happen again. In these cases, players need to have nerves of steel, and mine had them."
The Olbia coach praises his players. "I'm happy, because this victory crowns the very complicated season that the boys had to face. I'm happy for them. When I arrived, the team was in the last places: we knew that climbing up the rankings wasn't easy. I just fixed a few things", says Ze Maria. "The boys believed in what I told them, and the results were there to see, because beyond the victory, Olbia is a team that plays football against any opponent. I'm happy for the results, you know that playing well sooner or later they come, and they came: credit to the boys, who sacrificed themselves in a difficult situation".
Then, when asked about the subject, the Brazilian coach returns to Olbia's path under his management, which began in mid-November with the Gallura team second to last in the standings with 6 points.
"As a coach when I arrived I had to bring some tranquility to the environment, give the boys back the confidence they lacked and convey to them the awareness of the strong points and the weak points, and of the need to work hard, because it was the only way to get out of a complicated situation", says the former Inter player.
«The boys were very good at understanding the moment, and they trusted me, and I'm happy: for a coach, having the trust of his players is very important».
