The away trip to Sassuolo comes after triumphant back-to-back wins at Dacia Arena. Andrea Sottil is aware of the need to keep everyone’s feet on the ground going forward rather than running the risk of getting carried away.
“Brilliant performances against top sides generate a significant injection of confidence. They make you aware of your quality and give a growing sense of identity. We have to channel the inertia from that excitement and turn it into hard work in training so that we can improve in all areas.”
Sottil added that the hard work this week has been a reflection of that. “There have been smiles but focused faces as well. We know we need to put the Roma win behind us. The players immediately started looking ahead to the Sassuolo game and I’m pleased about that.
“We’re up against a decent side tomorrow that plays a precise brand of football, but we’re in good mental and physical shape.
“You can see the improvement in training and the immediate answers. I’ve known since day one that the players here have desire and the ability to play a certain brand of football with good technique and quality.
“I’m pleased with how things are going. I think we still need to improve more, but when you have a squad that follows the coach’s orders, you can see the results at the weekend.
“When everyone accepts that hard work is the way to turn in top performances, it drives everyone forward. That also goes for our fans, who are always wonderful. It’s brilliant to have 500 supporters at Mapei Stadium, so long may that continue.
“It’s pleasing to see the team develop in the way that I want. There’s always been a target in my head of where I want to get us to. We’re certainly on the right path.”