Roberto De Zerbi admits he was “not pleased” losing Kevin-Prince Boateng to Barcelona, but Sassuolo are more motivated than ever against Cagliari.
It kicks off today at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“I was not pleased with losing Boateng, because we had really built around him in terms of character and his way of interpreting the centre-forward role,” said De Zerbi in his Press conference.
Roberto De Zerbi admits he was “not pleased” losing Kevin-Prince Boateng to Barcelona, but Sassuolo are more motivated than ever against Cagliari.
It kicks off today at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“I was not pleased with losing Boateng, because we had really built around him in terms of character and his way of interpreting the centre-forward role,” said De Zerbi in his Press conference.
“However, the club and I decided to let him go, because this was a unique opportunity, the kind he will never have again, so it was only right to give him the chance to experience it. The players are all happy for him and it should motivate them too, because if a 32-year-old was chosen by Barcelona, it means many others can still make a big step up in their careers.
“In a way, it makes people around the world appreciate Sassuolo more, but we are losing an important player and a leader. As far as I am concerned, it doesn’t take away even 1% of our ambition, determination and enthusiasm, because we can still achieve our objectives.
“Now we’ve got to be even more committed and redouble our efforts. I always try to adapt my football to the characteristics of the players, so we cannot ask from Khouma Babacar or Alessandro Matri what we asked of Boateng. With them, we’ll ask the midfielders to push up more and work as more of a trequartista.
“It’s possible to play without Babacar or Matri, with another False 9, it’s not one player who changes a whole team.”
Cagliari are hovering above the drop zone, but Sassuolo have been particularly poor at the Mapei Stadium lately.
“It does weigh on us that we haven’t won at home since September 21. In terms of strength and general build, Cagliari are on a similar level to us, but we can bring the result our way. Their greatest threat is in the air with the likes of Leonardo Pavoletti, Joao Pedro and Artur Ionita.
“When they lift crosses into the box with Paolo Faragò or Nicolò Barella, Cagliari can cause any opponent problems. We know this is their characteristic and will try to limit that, but above all must focus on our own approach.”