Sassuolo patron Giorgio Squinzi urged Silvio Berlusconi to sell Milan and warned “we deserve the Europa League spot.”
The Neroverdi are currently in sixth place and this evening will know if they’ve retained it, but even that might not be enough to qualify for Europe.
If Milan beat Juventus in the Coppa Italia Final on May 21, only the Rossoneri and the top five go into Europe.
“The Europa League would be a great result, even if I preferred the Champions League,” smiled Squinzi in La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Sassuolo patron Giorgio Squinzi urged Silvio Berlusconi to sell Milan and warned “we deserve the Europa League spot.”
The Neroverdi are currently in sixth place and this evening will know if they’ve retained it, but even that might not be enough to qualify for Europe.
If Milan beat Juventus in the Coppa Italia Final on May 21, only the Rossoneri and the top five go into Europe.
“The Europa League would be a great result, even if I preferred the Champions League,” smiled Squinzi in La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“I’m kidding, but one must always aim for the highest target. The team has put together a remarkable run of results over the last couple of months.”
Squinzi has never denied he is a passionate Milan supporter, but this time is hoping to beat them.
“It’d be the icing on the cake. I feel bad for Berlusconi, but it would be the right result. We deserve the Europa League for an incredible year.
“It has been a troubled campaign for Milan with many changes of direction and contrasting results. I am disappointed, as the team did not give an adequate response. I remember the game Milan lost 2-0 to us and they had no reaction, no plan.
“If I were in Berlusconi’s shoes, naturally I’d be pretty worried.”
Berlusconi is in negotiations to sell Milan to Chinese investors, but said he’d prefer to leave the club in Italian hands.
“He is the President and spent so much over the last 30 years, so he has the right to act the way he chooses. If the money comes in from China, then he’s right to sell.
“Would I sell Sassuolo to China? I don’t think so, as negotiating is difficult and there are different rules in China, as they don’t have a tradition of free market economics.
“My company Mapei works all over the world, including China, but my preferred markets are North America and South-East Asia.”
Meanwhile, how will Squinzi go forward with the Sassuolo project.
“We’d need to reinforce the squad in a suitable way, as right now we are not structured to play two games per week.
“Sassuolo would gain in European visibility and the city would also be recognised for the great football fairy-tale rather than just ceramics and tiles.
“I just want to point out that, whatever happens, it has to be a celebration. Before the Inter game tonight I’ll go out there with my four grandchildren, as I want it to be a memorable evening.”