Sassuolo Coach Roberto De Zerbi said it is “an honour to face Carlo Ancelotti, whose transformation of Napoli has been incredible.”
The two tacticians go head-to-head on Sunday at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT), click here for a match preview.
“We are playing against a team in great shape, but have to focus on ourselves and what we have prepared,” said De Zerbi in his Press conference.
Sassuolo Coach Roberto De Zerbi said it is “an honour to face Carlo Ancelotti, whose transformation of Napoli has been incredible.”
The two tacticians go head-to-head on Sunday at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT), click here for a match preview.
“We are playing against a team in great shape, but have to focus on ourselves and what we have prepared,” said De Zerbi in his Press conference.
“Losing to Milan can happen, but not with a 4-1 result, which was excessive. The disappointment of the lads in the locker room afterwards proved we are aware of our potential and that we could’ve done far better.
“The important thing now is to make fewer mistakes. We’re up against a Napoli side that plays great football and has one of the best Coaches in the world sitting on its bench.
“It is an honour for me to face Ancelotti, who represented our country so well abroad with his professionalism. The thing I like the most about Ancelotti is that he tries to play good football with his teams and the transformation at Napoli in such a short period of time has been incredible. Not everyone can achieve that.
“Compared to Maurizio Sarri’s Napoli, now they have more options and tactical variations, the players are finding new verve in different roles, for example Lorenzo Insigne as a striker.
“Their interpretation of possession football has also changed, as both full-backs push forward, whereas Sarri always left one deep.”
Sassuolo are just one point behind Napoli in the table, so this is a showdown for second place in Serie A.
“Our duty is to focus on ourselves, give 100 per cent and take something away from Napoli,” continued De Zerbi.
“Their victory over Liverpool on Wednesday proved they are very strong. If they repeat that performance, it’ll be hard for us to get any points, but our ambition must be to play our game at the San Paolo.
“Alfred Duncan is out injured, while some others are not at 100 per cent, but it’s fundamental everyone we use can give their all if we are to cause problems for Napoli.”
The Stadio San Paolo is a familiar setting for De Zerbi, who played for Napoli from 2006 to 2008.
“I am proud and honoured by my past. I contributed to the return of Napoli to Serie A with the promotion in 2007.”