Crotone are mathematically relegated and Serse Cosmi lets loose on the impossibility of the task he inherited. ‘I was brought in to euthanise the team.’

The Squali were already virtually relegated for some time, but put up quite a fight against runaway leaders Inter, folding only in the final stages to a deflected Christian Eriksen strike and last-gasp Achraf Hakimi counter-attack.

Crotone are mathematically relegated and Serse Cosmi lets loose on the impossibility of the task he inherited. ‘I was brought in to euthanise the team.’

The Squali were already virtually relegated for some time, but put up quite a fight against runaway leaders Inter, folding only in the final stages to a deflected Christian Eriksen strike and last-gasp Achraf Hakimi counter-attack.

It means they are now mathematically doomed to spend next season in Serie B, less than a year after their promotion.

“It’s disappointing because this team has quality, and we showed that again today, but not playing without fans saps a lot from a side battling for Serie A safety,” Cosmi told Sky Sport Italia.

He took over from Giovanni Stroppa on March 1 and made his debut with a 5-1 defeat to Atalanta, eventually picking up two wins over Torino and Parma, plus seven defeats.

“I also inherited a squad that was not impossible to fit into my style of football, but certainly not that suited either. The issue here is that we feel happy to only lose 2-0 against Inter and that is light years away from my view and light years away from the level that is required.

“There are too many mistakes, really basic errors that you pay for at this level.”

Cosmi was asked about his future and warned he would only remain at Crotone if there was a genuine project.

“I have always said that I want to wait until the end of the season. What I don’t want is to basically be brought in to euthanise a team, which is what the job was here when I arrived.

“I want to compete and challenge in a different way. I have to admit, it’s all a bit frustrating, as I think we could’ve all experienced something different here this season, even if I only experienced a part of it.”

Antonio Conte is on the verge of securing the Scudetto at Inter and Cosmi sees his imprint all over the team.

“Inter brought Eriksen, Perisic and Alexis Sanchez off the bench. I think that says it all, really. There’s simply no comparison.

“Conte is a coach who decided the fortunes of this team, because he imposed his tactical vision and I saw a great unity between the players and their coach.

“Everyone knows Inter score goals like that on the counter and yet everyone concedes, so we joined in and did that too.”

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