Interviews

De Zerbi: It wasn't perfection but second half was fantastic

Head coach delighted after watching Albion claim biggest Amex win of the season against West Ham United.

By Bruce Talbot • 04 March 2023

By Paul Hazlewood
Roberto De Zerbi had to watch the game from the stand as he served a one match suspension.

Roberto De Zerbi admitted he didn’t enjoy his vantage point for the 4-0 win over West Ham United from the directors’ box – but he was thrilled with what he saw.

The Italian was banned from the touchline with assistant head coach Andrea Maldera running things from the bench. They saw goals from Alexis Mac Allister (penalty), Joel Veltman, Kaoru Mitoma and Danny Welbeck seal our biggest Amex win of the season.

“Watching from the stands was very different,” he said. “The stadium is very nice and the view was fantastic but I prefer to be by the pitch.

“We can improve, it wasn’t perfection but the second half was fantastic for sure. The first half was very good too.

03:39

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De Zerbi thanks staff after West Ham win

“We are in a good moment. We are strong and serious and I’m enjoying working with the players because they have the same passion as me to work and get better, and I think we can achieve our targets for this season.

“What is the target? It’s not right that I speak about one place in the table but we are playing well and we can try.”

De Zerbi said the injury that forced Tariq Lamptey off in the first half is ‘not a big problem.’ “It’s a small injury,” he added.