Grosso: ‘Sassuolo showed courage after a difficult week’ in virus outbreak
Fabio Grosso admits he ‘took a gamble and Sassuolo showed courage’ by fighting to a 1-1 draw away to Juventus, despite a week dominated by a whooping cough outbreak.The Neroverdi certainly didn’...
Grosso: ‘Sassuolo showed courage after a difficult week’ in virus outbreak Fabio Grosso admits he ‘took a gamble and Sassuolo showed courage’ by fighting to a 1-1 draw away to Juventus , despite a week dominated by a whooping cough outbreak. The Neroverdi certainly didn’t have the ideal preparation for this trip to the Allianz Juventus Stadium, as along with injured Fali Candé, Alieu Fadera, Daniel Boloca and Edoardo Pieragnolo, they were affected by a whooping cough outbreak. Only one case has been confirmed so far, but another four players were forced to isolate after showing symptoms of the highly-infectious virus that affects the respiratory system, with Nemanja Matic, Kristian Thorstvedt, Woyo Coulibaly and Stefano Turati left behind.
Grosso proud of Sassuolo courage TURIN, ITALY – MARCH 21: Arijanet Muric of US Sassuolo Calcio celebrates with teammates after saving a penalty from Manuel Locatelli of Juventus during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and US Sassuolo Calcio at Allianz Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images) “It was a fantastic performance, incredible really, going beyond all the rosiest possible expectations,” smiled Grosso on Sky Sport Italia. “This has been a very difficult week, but we dug deep for courage and were rewarded for that.
The lads played at such a high level, and so often in these situations you need a bit of luck too, but with our system, our attitude and determination, we earned this point. ” Despite the difficulties, and coming off two consecutive Serie A defeats, Sassuolo fought back from the Kenan Yildiz opener to equalise with Andrea Pinamonti. Manuel Locatelli had the chance to win it for Juventus late on, but Arijanet Muric sealed his Man of the Match status by smothering the penalty.
TURIN, ITALY – MARCH 21: Manuel Locatelli of Juventus has a penalty saved during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and US Sassuolo Calcio at Allianz Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images) “We had got so close to the end when the penalty was awarded, there were so many difficulties, but I asked the players to hang in there no matter what happened,” continued Grosso. “At a certain point, they were perhaps the only ones in the world who at the 93 rd minute away to Juventus went to take two consecutive corners and just kept pushing for another goal, without trying to let the clock run out.