Spalletti: "A painful defeat, we must do more"

MILAN - LucianoSpalletti was naturally unhappy following the home defeat to Parma after the Nerazzurri were in control before conceding at the end. "It’s a painful defeat," he began. "When you find yourself with four points from four games in front of this crowd and considering the fixture list, it becomes difficult to find excuses. We did well for long spells, we were always in their half but we certainly need to offer more than what we did. The responsibility is mine above all if a lot of players are showing less than their full potential."

"I don’t see this as a soft team. The guys are working in the right way with the attitude that you need. At times, perhaps we’re creating more confusion by trying to change the things that aren’t coming off. Up to their goal, we were in it but we wasted too many easy chances considering the quality that we have. We need to stay solid, keep our heads and learn also how to make the most of scrappy chances."

He was also asked about the potential penalty for handball from the goalscorer on the line that was not given: “I have only seen the incident now but it’s crushing, really crushing. Dimarco touches the ball with his hand, and it seems clear enough to me. There are no doubts in my mind, it is a penalty. However, I must think about improving the team and doing my job well because I have a strong squad here.”

Lastly, Spalletti also discussed the conditions of both Vrsaljko and D’Ambrosio in view of Tuesday’s game against Tottenham Hotspur: “Sime will not be available, while we will have to assess Danilo because he came off injured and could not recover.”