I'd rather lose CL with Pep than win it with other coaches - De Zerbi

Roberto De Zerbi, Sassuolo's new coach, has claimed that he would rather lose the Champions League final with Pep Guardiola than win it with another coach.

, who reached the Champions League final for the first time, went to Lisbon to face  Chelsea last week and lost the championship with a 1-0 defeat against Blues. This was Pep Guardiola's third European final and he had previously won both games against Barcelona, but this time he lost to Thomas Tuchel. Now De Zerbi has claimed that he would rather lose the trophy with Guardiola than win it with another coach.

“German football is tactically more advanced than the Italian one, but we read the games better,”

He told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Tuchel is a great coach but I would rather lose the Champions League Final with Guardiola on the bench than win it with another coach. However, City won and dominated the Premier League with the best defence,” he continued.

De Zerbi also explained about his move to Italy: 

“Some Italian clubs called me, but I think this was the right choice. I don’t care about the money or the country, I just want to be myself.

“Shakhtar convinced me, the transfer strategies must be shared, both in terms of sales and new signings. My priority was being able to work following my ideas.

“Everything regarding the pitch must depend on me. I can complete myself here through training sessions in English and dealing with a dressing room of foreign players. I’ve always said I don’t care about the club’s name, I care about the project.

“Winning the league is our main target, the season begins on July 20. Then we have the Champions League playoffs. It will be a difficult but thrilling experience. I’ve left my comfort zone to challenge myself.”

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