Roberto De Zerbi admits Sassuolo were “lucky” to beat Empoli, but “we have to recognise the merits of the opponent”.
The Neroverdi emerged with a 3-1 win in tonight’s match, but were helped by Miha Zajc’s red card and the visitors being down to 10 men when Ismael Bennacer wasn’t ready to come on.
“Playing Empoli is hard,” De Zerbi confirmed after the match.
Roberto De Zerbi admits Sassuolo were “lucky” to beat Empoli, but “we have to recognise the merits of the opponent”.
The Neroverdi emerged with a 3-1 win in tonight’s match, but were helped by Miha Zajc’s red card and the visitors being down to 10 men when Ismael Bennacer wasn’t ready to come on.
“Playing Empoli is hard,” De Zerbi confirmed after the match.
“It’s one of the most difficult games to prepare for because they hold on to the ball and don’t give you any reference points.
“We suffered, even if we did create in the first half, and in the end the lads’ will to win came through.
“We were lucky to go 2-1 up on the corner and we were lucky to find ourselves with an extra man but we went looking for it.
“We did well but it wasn’t an amazing performance, but for that we have to recognise the merits of the opponent.
“I think we were too soft in our pressing. We’d prepared to go and press their centre-backs with a bit more intensity with our mezzale, and to press their full-backs with our wingers.
“We were struggling because they played well, and part of that is because we weren’t at our best and let them play their way into the game.
“The Coach on the other bench [Aurelio Andreazzoli] was very good and maybe he got here too late. He’s a Coach I respect a lot, and I’m well aware that I'm lucky to be young and coaching in Serie A.”