EDF 'couldn't work with Balotelli'

By Football Italia staff

Sassuolo boss Eusebio Di Francesco defines his ideal Number 9 and explains why Mario Balotelli couldn’t play in his Milan.

The tactician known for his 4-3-3 system has been tipped for the Milan bench next season, although some also want him to replace Antonio Conte for Italy.

After he sat down with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Di Francesco laughed when asked if Balotelli could play in his team.

“I want first of all players who are prepared to sacrifice themselves and work for the team. If they don’t all work together, then everyone struggles.

“The way my trident works, put simply, is that one forward goes on the wing, one attacks the first post, one attacks the second.

“The three strikers have to move in a co-ordinated fashion and in that sense Domenico Berardi is the best. Nicola Sansone comes straight after him in that list.

“I want forwards who take men on and go for the goal. Otherwise, if everyone is running along lateral lines, then you run out of pitch.”

Di Francesco outlined a typical Berardi move on the right side of the trident.

“First he has to control the ball already preparing it for the next move. Then he has to move the ball towards the centre and run at the goal. He mustn’t go wide, I don’t like him crossing, as the full-back and midfielders have to focus on providing width.

“It’s risky, but you don’t get anywhere without risks. I always tell the players ‘if you get it wrong, it’s my fault.’ I don’t understand teachers who shout at children to pass, not dribble. You’ll ruin new talent like that.

“The centre-forward must always attack the goal and run in that direction. Only the linesman should run towards the corner flag, not the striker.

“I also want the three forwards to live off the errors of the opposition. Against Juventus, Alex Sandro made a mistake and Matteo Politano didn’t get on the end of the ball. ‘I didn’t expect it.’ A striker must never tell me that.”

Evidently Di Francesco is not a fan of the False 9 approach, but there are exceptions.

“If Francesco Totti does it, then that works, because he can put the ball anywhere he wants it to go. Diego Perotti also surprised me in that role, as he is one of the best wingers for taking men on, but can also do well in the centre.

“My ideal Number 9 is Simone Zaza, who I consider to be extraordinary. When he was at Sassuolo I’d ask him if he ran hard in training, then would show him the statistics at the Mapei Centre – something other clubs don’t have – and noted this wasn’t good enough. If he didn’t improve, he’d be on the bench. It was great motivation, because statistics don’t lie.

“Other great centre-forwards are Edin Dzeko, who at the moment is not playing at his best with Roma, and Carlos Bacca. The Colombian always goes towards the goal and doesn’t wander about aimlessly.

“In my view Bacca and Berardi would be first choice starters anywhere they go. Mind you, don’t try to turn that into a headline suggesting I’m going to Milan. I’ve been accosted to the Nazionale job too. It’s pleasing, but it all remains just gossip.”

Berardi has said he wants to be trained by Di Francesco in future as well, so could they reunite outside of Sassuolo?

“Domenico cares for me and doesn’t want to break that bond. He has great talent, but at times makes me angry. It’s as if he’s one of my kids…”

Watch Serie A live in the UK on Premier Sports for just £9.99 per month including live LaLiga, Eredivisie, Scottish Cup Football and more. Visit: https://www.premiersports.com/subscribenow