Cremonese boss Giovanni Stroppa believes Juve Stabia could be starting to feel pressure for the first time ahead of their Serie B play-off semi-final.

The Stabians have been punching above their weight since the start of the campaign and remain in with a chance of a second successive promotion having escaped Serie C this time last year.

With just €5.6million spent on player wages and a relatively young side, many observers expected the wheels to come off. 

But after finishing fifth in the table, the play-offs then offered something of a free hit for Guido Pagliuca and his players. And they landed a first knockout blow by beating Palermo in the preliminary round at the weekend.

Stroppa said: “I don’t think they’re as carefree as they were a few months ago, because Pagliuca and his boys also know they have something important in their hands.

“They’ll be even more focused and determined than before. What they achieved was desired but now the values ​​are reset and there are the finals. At this moment the objective is common to everyone.

“The level is very high and Juve Stabia have shown that they can compete at a great level. I spoke about it during the last match in Cremona, they deserve all this and are playing with extraordinary determination and attention. We must only congratulate them.”

That last match in Cremona was just over a month ago and finished 1-1. It came in the middle of a 10-game unbeaten run for Cremonese that was ended by defeat in Pisa on the final day of the campaign last Tuesday.

Stroppa’s side can take heart from their last visit to Stadio Romeo Menti, a 2-1 win in October, but there is a sense that something has to give when these two meet.

Juve Stabia’s defence is usually solid, especially on their own patch as only Sassuolo and Spezia have let in fewer goals (17) at home than the 18 conceded by Pagliuca’s men.

Yet the Grigiorossi have been in fine form on their travels. Only promoted pair Sassuolo and Pisa have won more away games and only the champions have scored more as visitors than Cremonese’s 32 goals in 19 matches.

One place separated the sides at the end of the regular season, with Juve Stabia six points off their opponents and with fourth receiving a bye into the semis, Cremonese have had longer to get ready.

Pagliuca said: “The recovery time is short and it’s a shame to have so little time to prepare for a match like this, especially against a team that will have had more time to rest. 

“We’ll have to play every three days and we’ll have to be ready.”

Top scorer Andrea Adorante, who took his haul for the season to 16 goals with the winner against Palermo, said: “The difference is made by the team, everyone gives their all for their team-mates and I am sure that will be the case in the next matches too. 

“Games like this prepare themselves, character and how you enter the field count more than tactics.”

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