Roberto De Zerbi wants Sassuolo to “enjoy our football” against Napoli, but Stefano Sensi is not risked and he could revamp their tactics.
It kicks off at the Mapei Stadium at 17.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
Still only 39 years old, De Zerbi spent much of his career on the Partenopei’s books, playing 42 games for them.
Roberto De Zerbi wants Sassuolo to “enjoy our football” against Napoli, but Stefano Sensi is not risked and he could revamp their tactics.
It kicks off at the Mapei Stadium at 17.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
Still only 39 years old, De Zerbi spent much of his career on the Partenopei’s books, playing 42 games for them.
“I always feel something different when I face the clubs I played for, but once the whistle blows and the match begins, I try to put all that out of my mind and focus on the game,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
“Sassuolo must continue with the same desire to do well and enjoy our football, with the same focus we showed against Milan, albeit knowing how well Napoli play.
“If we are to pick up points, we need to maintain our identity with even more belief in what we can do. Napoli press high, have a lot of pace and unpredictability in their individuals. They play in a different way to last season under Maurizio Sarri, but still have the same quality with Carlo Ancelotti.”
Sensi is not fit to start, so Alfred Duncan returns from suspension, but goalkeeper Andrea Consigli sits out a ban.
“We can play with three at the back or four, depending on how we want to approach the game. Sensi isn’t fully fit and we don’t want to risk him, so we’ll use someone with different characteristics in his role, but the same quality.
“Khouma Babacar felt too much responsibility on his shoulders after Kevin-Prince Boateng left in January, so when he struggled to score goals, he got depressed.
“I tried to reassure him, but there are no problems and I admire the lad. He’s lost weight, not that he was overweight as such, and is training hard.”
Sassuolo squad for Napoli: Satalino, Campani, Pegolo; Demiral, Lemos, Rogerio, Peluso, Sernicola, Lirola, Magnani, Ferrari, Adjapong; Magnanelli, Djuricic, Sensi, Duncan, Bourabia, Locatelli; Matri, Scamacca, Odgaard, Boga, Berardi, Babacar, Di Francesco