Montella ramps up the pressure: “No slacking off, we want the right attitude at Empoli”

Vincenzo Montella wants to keep the tension high in the dressing room as the Blucerchiati prepare to face their second consecutive away game against Empoli tomorrow.

“We’re not happy with our position in the league table so we have to win,” declared the Sampdoria coach in his pre-match press conference. “I don’t think being calmer upstairs is necessarily a good thing. When the stakes were high in the last two games, we performed at our best.

“We don’t need calmness and we mustn’t relax now. Let’s keep the right attitude that we showed against Frosinone and Hellas Verona.

“Even if they’re coming off the back of a winless streak, Empoli are a good side,” Montella believes. “They’re organised and have quality in the middle of the park.

“I can’t tell you if Joaquin Correa will play. He’s doing well but it’s a shame we only play with 11 in football because so many of my players deserve to start. I still need to work out who will be on the pitch at beginning of the game.

“As for the defence, we’re improving as a team. As a result, we’re conceding less, although some credit goes to individual performances as well.”