Semplici: Sassuolo unaccustomed to fighting relegation but Dionisi knows how to overcome crisis
Former SPAL and Spezia coach, Leonardo Semplici, has weighed in on the current state of the Serie A championship, offering his insights on the title race and the battle to avoid relegation.
The 56-year-old Semplici, known for leading SPAL from Serie C to Serie A, has often found himself in charged situations. Despite his previous experiences, he remains vigilant, constantly travelling throughout Italy and abroad to observe the trend in the Serie A, stating that he is also studying English to further his capabilities. These are the comments he made during an interview with ‘La Gazzetta dello Sport’.
Discussing the league’s top tier, he believed, “Inter Milan is having a fantastic season, their Champions League final has boosted their confidence massively. They’re definitely the favourites but Juventus without any cups could be a snare.” He also mentioned his disappointment over Napoli’s performance but singled out Bologna and Fiorentina as positive surprises.
Regarding the relegation struggle, Semplici noted that “It’s very open. Salernitana’s victory at Verona has completely shuffled the deck. Even those with 20 points cannot feel safe at any time.”
Semplici shared his thoughts on the key to avoid relegation, explaining that “there are many aspects important but the team’s resilience in the face of adversity is fundamental because when multiple defeats arrive, maintaining a calm and compact environment is necessary.”
The January transfer market is another subject of concern for Semplici. As he stated, “The most important thing will be to retain the players because the time to integrate new ones is quite limited.”
Finally, on Sassuolo’s current league position, Semplici admitted surprise but not despair. In his direct words were, “they have the quality to pull themselves up, and their victories against Inter and Juve confirm it. What is lacking is consistency in results. But Sassuolo has a player like Berardi, who would be a starter in the top four Serie A teams: he’s already scored nine goals and he’s always making a difference. The risk arises from unfamiliarity to fight against relegation, but Dionisi knows how to navigate via gameplay.”
It’s clear that whether discussing the title race, relegation battles or player transfers, Semplici provides an informed perspective on Serie A’s current state of play.