Walter Mazzarri has apologised and taken the blame for Torino’s 2-1 defeat to Lecce. “Our performance missed the mark completely.”
Toro were second best for large parts on Monday evening as they failed to draw level with Inter at the top of Serie A, and Mazzarri conceded Lecce “looked capable of scoring a third or fourth goal.”
Walter Mazzarri has apologised and taken the blame for Torino’s 2-1 defeat to Lecce. “Our performance missed the mark completely.”
Toro were second best for large parts on Monday evening as they failed to draw level with Inter at the top of Serie A, and Mazzarri conceded Lecce “looked capable of scoring a third or fourth goal.”
“I want to apologise to the fans, as they were exceptional despite this being our worst performance for a very long time,” the Coach told Sky Sport Italia.
“We got almost everything wrong tonight. The internationals arrived late, but playing on Monday we even had an extra day compared to most others, so maybe I just got things wrong in training.
“We had too many players who were sluggish and lost, they looked like the bad brothers of the players who beat Atalanta. I saw at least four who just weren’t themselves, so that must be my fault, as I was unable to motivate or focus them.
“Aside from possession, which at 2 miles per hour is futile anyway, we got nothing right. We didn’t even put in decent crosses other than from corners.
“We had to concentrate on what we’ve always done well and we didn’t. If you look at their first goal, it’s inexplicable. You cannot concede a goal like that.
“Last season, we were constantly pinning opponents back and then at times incidents didn’t go our way, including VAR interpretations. Tonight, Lecce looked capable of scoring a third or fourth goal.”
The Granata were denied a last-ditch penalty by VAR, so what did the Coach make of it?
“I think both incidents were penalties, but frankly that doesn’t interest me, because we didn’t deserve a point. Our performance quite simply missed the mark completely.
“I don’t like it when people say I look for excuses. It’s my responsibility, I am the Coach, that’s it. There are causes, but it’s not possible for the whole team to do this badly. We were always second to the ball.
“I was very clear beforehand, saying we had to focus on our own approach to football and not try to adapt to Lecce, but it all went wrong.
“We must have the same attitude against the Serie A leaders or team at the foot of the table, that is when you make the step up in quality and we haven’t done that yet.
“If you defend with three or four players and the rest of the team just stands there watching, you're going to concede. Lecce let us off the hook several times.”