Sinisa Mihajlovic has lamented Sampdoria’s poor display in the 1-1 dra against Empoli on Sunday afternoon, and admitted he didn’t want to get into the Europa League at the expense of others.
Manuel Pucciarelli’s fourth goal of the season gave Empoli a well earned lead in the second half, but Samuel Eto’o levelled on the 90th minute, leaving Sampdoria three points behind Fiorentina.
“I don’t celebrate goals,” he told Sky Sport Italia. “I always try to keep calm.
“There is no need to get angry as we will always achieve something, everything is under control.
“In the first half we were put under a lot of pressure by Empoli, who played a great half, and you have to give them credit.
“We were not able to do what we wanted.
“In the second half their level fell and we pounced upon that.
“Empoli have built their season on their home form and for us it was important not to lose, but we could’ve done better.
“We knew it would be a tough game, we got a point and now we have to win the last match against Parma, but it won’t be easy.?
Sampdoria could still qualify for the Europa League should Genoa fail to gain a UEFA license, after being denied one already the Grifone are appealing the decision.
“Genoa will finish ahead of us and we must congratulate them,” Mihajlovic said.
“For me, it is what happens on the field that counts, and it would be a shame to qualify for Europe due to the misfortune of others.
“But we did out best and we must not forget what we have done this year.”
