Giampaolo laments lack of identity: “We didn’t play like Samp”

Marco Giampaolo was unequivocal when asked what he thought was behind the defeat meted out by Torino at the Stadio Olimpico this evening.

“We didn’t play like Samp,” the head coach began, “this was our biggest error. We didn’t pull on the shirt we usually do.”

For Giampaolo, the reason for this was to do with the team’s approach to the contest.

“We made the mistake of competing on their level: a physical team that stops you from playing, but we weren’t able to make a scrap of it. We started badly in terms of our reactiveness and pace. We didn’t put in the performance that was required.”

Rainy conditions, a heavy pitch and a physical opponent – hardly the ideal conditions for any team following the battle against AC Milan.

“We paid the price for the high intensity on Saturday,” the gaffer continued. “It wasn’t impossible today but that doesn’t change anything: whoever’s tougher will emerge victorious at the end. All these games are like finals, they’re all difficult. We have to stay in the fight, the margins are slim and it’s still open.

“As for Europe,” Giampaolo concluded, “I said that had we won, we could still dream of the Champions League and that was true, but for the Europa League nothing is decided.”