Collecchio, 2 January 2026- Statements from head coach Carlos Cuesta during the press conference ahead of the game against Sassuolo in matchday 18 of Serie A Enilive, held in the press room at the Mutti Training Centre in Collecchio.
THE TEAM’S CONDITION
Delprato continued training with his personalised programme until yesterday, which was his first full session with the squad. Today, we’ll also assess a few players who have been dealing with the flu and other minor issues that have prevented us from training as a full group to determine who will be available for the match.
THE OPPONENT
'Sassuolo are a well-balanced team that can hold possession and press down the wings. The league rankings speak for themselves: they play high-level football and are excellent at attacking space. Ideally, we want to win the ball back as quickly as possible and keep it. There will be moments when we can’t press high, and we will need to stay compact. We have to do well in different situations, both in and out of possession, and act with strategy and composure.'
CONSISTENCY
'We wanted to build consistency in our results against Udinese and Lazio, but that didn’t happen. We’re keen to keep improving: tomorrow we’ll go into the game with focus and determination to play our game and give our best.'
THE TRANSFER MARKET
“With so many games coming up, we’ll need everyone. Every player in my squad is important and will continue to be. I’m fully aligned with the Club and entirely focused on the present.”
BENEDYCZAK AND SØRENSEN
'Benedyczak brings a lot to the team physically, mentally, and tactically. He’s a versatile player who knows how to exploit space, win duels, and score goals. He’s got a lot of potential that we want to develop further so he can become an even more important player for us. As for Sørensen, he deserved to play against Fiorentina; he trained hard, worked well, and put on an incredible display.'
BERNABÉ
'Analysing the build-up to the goal against Fiorentina, Bernabé had a crucial role. He’s vital both in the build-up phase and further up the pitch. He has a lot of potential to fulfill, and we’re working to make sure he’s always in the best conditions to perform.'
HARD WORK AND GROWTH
“The way we’re working is good, but it isn’t enough on its own, and it’s important to recognise the progress we’re making. Every day, through hard work and dedication, we try to let our performances on the pitch speak for themselves. We do everything with the intention of doing our best in matches. The right mindset is key, and every game must be approached with that level of focus, whether it’s a direct clash or not, and tomorrow we’ll do everything possible to make that happen.”
TRAINING AND INSPIRATION
“Regardless of the holiday, we trained yesterday. There’s no time to stop, and we have to make the most of every day. I met Engineer Dallara a little over a month ago, and what he has accomplished is amazing and a reflection of who he is. He has a lot of passion and drive; learning from him and spending time together is an honour and a source of inspiration.'
