Walter Zenga admits he saw no signs of the “total nightmare” Sampdoria would have, losing 4-0 to Vojvodina in the Europa League.

The Blucerchiati’s continental campaign is practically over after one game, as it was the ‘home’ fixture played in Turin due to problems at Marassi.

“I really thought we were ready for this and I had a good feeling seeing the players train. I believed it,” Coach Zenga told La Repubblica newspaper.

Walter Zenga admits he saw no signs of the “total nightmare” Sampdoria would have, losing 4-0 to Vojvodina in the Europa League.

The Blucerchiati’s continental campaign is practically over after one game, as it was the ‘home’ fixture played in Turin due to problems at Marassi.

“I really thought we were ready for this and I had a good feeling seeing the players train. I believed it,” Coach Zenga told La Repubblica newspaper.

“There wasn’t the slightest clue of a potential disaster. We worked hard for a month, all leading up to this Europa League debut. I’ll be honest, I wanted to start training even earlier, but the rules do not allow it. In any case, the time seemed sufficient.

“Absolutely nothing worked. It was a total nightmare. Conceding a goal early on knocked the wind out of our sails, especially as the squad doesn’t have 90 minutes of fitness levels yet.

“We had prepared this game differently. I hoped to take the lead and then wait for Vojvodina, maybe preserving some energy. It all went wrong, including the 2-0 and 3-0 goals conceded on the counter-attack.

“At times an incident can change everything. If Fernando’s free kick had gone in rather than hit the post to make it 1-1 before the break, how would it have ended?”

Zenga cancelled his Twitter account after the debacle and had abuse hurled at him by fans following the final whistle in Turin.

“As I told the supporters after the game, it is my fault. I take full responsibility, without seeking alibis, as the players have nothing to do with it. It’s fair that they get angry with me.

“It was a huge blow and I am convinced it will help us to reflect on what we did wrong. As a football man, first as a player and then a Coach, I can only say that after a defeat like that you can’t wait to get back on the field. We need to reboot.”

The second leg is in Novi Sad next Thursday and President Massimo Ferrero did not seem entirely confident of backing Zenga beyond that.

“First of all I hope we don’t get the same stomach bug that hit the squad before the first leg, as it ruled out Vasco Regini and Andrea Coda, while Angelo Palombo and Emiliano Viviano were debilitated. I don’t like excuses, but the line-up we sent out was not the one we had prepared.

“New signings? There’s no point spending big money for a player unless they are part of the project. More will arrive by the end of August, but that doesn’t change the fact the squad we have should’ve allowed us to continue in the Europa League.”

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