Empoli Coach Maurizio Sarri says Lorenzo Tonelli is a victim of injustice – ‘if I say what I really think I’ll get banned’.
The defender was punched by Atalanta forward German Denis after their match on Sunday, with Tonelli picking up a one-match ban for allegedly making death threats against Denis.
The Orobici man was banned for five matches, but Empoli’s Coach has compared his actions to those of Massimiliano Ferrigno, who put Francesco Bertolotti into a coma in 2000 after a match.
Empoli Coach Maurizio Sarri says Lorenzo Tonelli is a victim of injustice – ‘if I say what I really think I’ll get banned’.
The defender was punched by Atalanta forward German Denis after their match on Sunday, with Tonelli picking up a one-match ban for allegedly making death threats against Denis.
The Orobici man was banned for five matches, but Empoli’s Coach has compared his actions to those of Massimiliano Ferrigno, who put Francesco Bertolotti into a coma in 2000 after a match.
“If I said what I really think I’d get banned,” Sarri told journalists in his Press conference ahead of tomorrow’s Napoli game.
“I remember a similar incident, which ended with a three-year ban for Como’s Ferrigno. I don’t know Denis, but I think he lost his head for a quarter of an hour.
“I’ve heard so many different reconstructions of this story, Lorenzo feels he’s suffered an injustice, and we hope to prove that.”
Sarri also adressed tomorrow’s match, and says his side will aim to cause problems for Napoli.
“A lot of teams have tried to beat them, but no-one has done it recently. Right now they’re in extraordinary form.
“That said, we must go onto the pitch with the belief that we can cause them problems.”
The 56-year-old also took a moment to congratulate Carpi, who secured promotion from Serie B last night.
“I’m very happy,” Sarri said.
“I asked for [Coach Fabrizio] Castori’s number and I’ll call him tonight. It’s a beautiful story, when someone rises up from the bottom I’m always happy.
“Their story is about sweat and sacrifice, and their promotion makes me really happy.”