Roberto De Zerbi claims Sassuolo must make ‘clear and courageous decisions’ to improve in 2020-21 but thinks ‘eighth is already a lot’ for the Neroverdi.
Milan came away with a 2-1 win from the Mapei Stadium last night and the hopes of European football faded for De Zerbi’s men, but the coach has claimed he was never taking anything for granted.
Roberto De Zerbi claims Sassuolo must make ‘clear and courageous decisions’ to improve in 2020-21 but thinks ‘eighth is already a lot’ for the Neroverdi.
Milan came away with a 2-1 win from the Mapei Stadium last night and the hopes of European football faded for De Zerbi’s men, but the coach has claimed he was never taking anything for granted.
“I don’t like claim things before playing. I wouldn’t have signed at all and I will never take anything for granted,” the coach said at a press conference.
“The seven who are above us are strong. We have always believed in it and we have always pushed – some more and some less – to do something more. Eighth is already a lot for Sassuolo.”
De Zerbi has been forced to rotate a lot in recent weeks, revealing that his squad couldn’t fully cope with the tight schedule.
“Beyond this, when we lost three or four players to injuries, we couldn’t manage the squad as we did at the beginning of the post-lockdown.
“I know the squad better than anyone else and I knew that they could not play three games in seven days. Knowing I let down some of my lads, I had to make forced decisions and we were a bit tired.
“After all this, we had a good first half against the team best form in the League. The sending off and it became difficult with 10 men.
“Despite some of the ten still had the belief, it had become difficult and those few going forward were short on support. But we did well to not suffer too much in the second half.”
The Neroverdi coach stressed that the issues with fatigue are shared across the League.
“I don’t like to talk about what I would have wanted to do in other conditions. Three players came off injured today, two from Milan and one from us. It’s the same for everyone.”
The 41-year-old have three games remaining, starting with a trip to seventh-placed Napoli on Saturday.
Hellas Verona sit three points behind Sassuolo with a game in hand and De Zerbi wants to fight to remain eighth in the League.
“There are three games remaining. First, we have a match in Naples and we must do well. We have to defend our position with our fingernails and teeth, because it changes so much.
“Based on what we’ve seen in these 38 games, we must make decisions. If you want to improve, those decisions must be clear and courageous.”
Another game and another penalty given for handball, as Francesco Caputo scored the equaliser from the spot in the first half.
“There are people who decide. The important thing is that they apply the rules regularly and consistently.
“It seems to be happening to everyone. Today, it happened for us to take advantage of a penalty, in the past we have suffered similar cases.”