Crotone coach Giovanni Stroppa is left with bitter regrets after Junior Messias wasted a massive opportunity to draw with Atalanta. ‘We had the chances.’
Luis Muriel got an early brace, Nwankwo Simy pulled one back, but Messias pounced on a terrible Johan Mojica back-pass only to hesitate and allow Remo Freuler to steal the ball.
Crotone coach Giovanni Stroppa is left with bitter regrets after Junior Messias wasted a massive opportunity to draw with Atalanta. ‘We had the chances.’
Luis Muriel got an early brace, Nwankwo Simy pulled one back, but Messias pounced on a terrible Johan Mojica back-pass only to hesitate and allow Remo Freuler to steal the ball.
“We had the chances to equalise and really should’ve made the most of that situation with Junior Messias,” the coach told Sky Sport Italia after a 2-1 home defeat.
“He could’ve been a little quicker to put his body between the defender and the goalkeeper. It’s a pity, as it was such a huge opportunity to score. Sometimes it’s about the preparation, the posture, the positioning to be ready for those situations.
“I’ve said many times that focus and determination are the elements we are missing. We’ve conceded cheap goals this season, today were against a team capable perhaps of playing a different sport, yet I was satisfied with the second half performance and we held out against an excellent side. It’s just a pity we don’t have points.
“With the opening goal, we were in position, we had our defenders where they were supposed to be and if you give a striker half a metre at this level, you will be made to pay.”
There were rumours Crotone were ready to fire Stroppa, but the club assured he will see out the whole season.
“We are in sync with the club and staff. It’s up to the club to decide, we’ve made this journey together, we know that we started the season amid a thousand difficulties, we know there’s a lot to improve, but the club has faith in me and I have great faith in my players.”