27 January 2015
Parma boss Roberto Donadoni says he will look to unite his group and honour the Coppa Italia with “great dignity” when Juventus travel to the Ennio Tardini for tomorrow night’s quarter-final clash.
Difficulties both on and off the field of play have forced the Gialloblu manager to fight his fair share of fires this season and yesterday’s parting of the ways with Antonio Cassano means the club can no longer count on the talismanic striker whose goals helped them finish sixth last season.
But the 51-year-old has vowed to soldier on regardless, saying he and the team owe their fans a performance after plunging to the bottom of the Serie A table, nine points adrift of safety.
Speaking to the media this afternoon, Donadoni said: “Cassano has made his choice and I respect it. Everything becomes more complicated when the required motivation is no longer there. Tomorrow we’ll aim to honour the Coppa Italia with great dignity. It’s what our fans are asking of us.
“There are many things that are out of our hands, but there are also many other factors we can influence. We’re angry and feel a sense of shame towards our fans for the results we’ve produced. It’s time to stop blaming others and accept our own responsibilities.”
