Montella set for Marassi return: “The crowd will help us against Sassuolo”

Vincenzo Montella believes the fans will have a key role to play when Sampdoria take on Sassuolo at Marassi tomorrow.

“I’m sure the crowd will give us a big hand,” the boss told journalists on the eve of the Blucerchiati’s Serie A Week 15 fixture, which will be his first appearance in the Samp home dugout.

The game also brings Montella face to face with an old acquaintance. “Sassuolo are an excellent team and Eusebio Di Francesco is a great coach, besides being a very good friend of mine.”

L’Aeroplanino then commented on the decision to train behind closed doors this week before speaking about how he is finding coaching a new squad.

“I wanted the players to have as few distractions as possible and I don’t really like people hearing what I say on the pitch, especially at this particular moment.

“The team are making good progress and they’re learning my playing principles. They’re all good lads – perhaps too good. We’re coming up a bit short in a few areas and we know that. We have to show more character. There are lots of quality players here who aren’t able to perform at their best together at the moment.”

Montella also fielded questions about two of his strikers. “Muriel is ready to really take off now and Cassano will be a very useful player for us.”

Click on the video below to see highlights of Montella’s news conference with English subtitles.