Sports
‘Sassuolo regret at wasting chances in first half with Roma’ after 2-0 defeat
SASSUOLO, ITALY – JANUARY 06: Fabio Grosso, Head Coach of US Sassuolo Calcio, reacts during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and Juventus FC at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on January 06, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Fabio Grosso regrets Sassuolo didn’t take their chances in the 2-0 defeat to Roma, noting Ismael Koné is an ideal example of ‘a player with potential who needs to be more consistent.’
The Neroverdi had the better scoring opportunities in the first half, testing Mile Svilar and missing the target, but were finally undone with two goals at the 77th and 79th minutes at the Stadio Olimpico.
Manu Koné broke the deadlock with a header, followed moments later by the Matias Soulé finish.
Grosso and Sassuolo frustrated by latest defeat
“It was a good performance, we created big chances to take the lead, but naturally Roma have undoubted quality and in the end that emerged. When you create those chances and don’t take them, it becomes a dangerous situation,” Grosso told DAZN Italia.
Sassuolo remain comfortably mid-table after earning promotion from Serie B last summer, but their results have slowed considerably of late, and are now without a win in six rounds.
“The lads are doing well, we must try to do what we did for long periods and keep it going more consistently. Unfortunately, we allowed too many chances late on, when we had barely let them hurt us in the first half,” added Grosso.
“We lost intensity towards the end for various reasons, but I don’t want to seek alibis. This is our journey, at the moment it is a little turbulent, so we’ve got to keep on track until we find calmer skies.
“We had three games in a few days with a limited squad, there were some positives, and we must work on what we can improve.”
Canada international Ismael Kone impressed for Sassuolo in the first half, and the DAZN Italia crew compared him to Blaise Matuidi for his playing style.
“He has strength, has improved so much in his consistency, because he can reach great peaks, but also doesn’t make the most of certain situations and needs to make better choices when clear on goal. These are all players in our squad with potential, but it’s up to me to help them be more consistent.”
