Nicola’s Empoli who won at the last minute on the Sassuolo pitch, winning three fundamental points in the key to safety
Davide Nicola has revitalized Empoli which continues to obtain fundamental results in the race to conquer salvation. Today’s victory on the pitch of a direct competitor for staying in Serie A was very heavy, the Tuscans deservedly prevailed over Sassuolo thanks to a goal from Bastoni in full injury time. Twice in the lead and on as many occasions comebacked by Sassuolo, Empoli had the strength to continue to believe in the full result without suffering any collapse or psychological repercussions after the goals of the neroverdi. The tenacity of Nicola’s men was rewarded at the last minute with the three-two goal which brings precious points with a view to salvation. Below is the satisfaction of the former Crotone and Salernitana coach at the end of the match.
“The boys were good at interpreting the two ways of being on the pitch and tactical flexibility has a certain importance in certain moments, the principles don’t change, it changes a little more when you interpret these positions with players who have different characteristics. We had to give ourselves the belief that what we are doing in positive terms and in terms of performance. Coming here and creating 8 chances to 4 is not obvious and trivial, this is your second consecutive away win. During the week we also had some defections and we worked with 20 players but those 20 demonstrated that a working group is important when it has more resources within it. A special mention to Bastoni for the decisive goal but he is a flexible player and he could be a great resource for us. I am overjoyed with the 2 goals from set pieces because by dint of insisting and believing in things then things come and I thank my collaborator Berti who outdid himself in his proposals. I hope they have understood what type of game I want to propose for tactical experimentation. For me, behaviors matter. Above all, they are understanding this. We can improve but I hope he managed to convey to him that it is not the single match that is important but the final objective but to get there there can only be a single day and a single match. For me balance is fundamental. Fear of not making it today? Given the way we were holding the field, I would say no. I had the perception that we could be dangerous and at the same time due to the respect I have for Sassuolo I knew that if we spent too much time in a defensive position we would pay the price sooner or later and the change of pace in pressing had to be quick. The numbers are quite clear today, I believe that Empoli tried to win it, never losing the ability to remain compact but trying until the end to win it. Eight scoring opportunities is a lot, it’s 3 times that we’ve scored 3 goals, and I like that. The only flaw today is the goal conceded from a free kick because we were a bit too soft. We play to express ourselves, we don’t play for salvation, sometimes we succeed and other times we don’t, I don’t think there is a way to fight for salvation or to win, there is a way to fight for the team goal . It’s not that we are better prepared because we are fighting for this goal, we have to play and express ourselves.”
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