Roberto De Zerbi says Albion will not be ‘tourists’ at the FA Cup semi-final after reaching Wembley for the second time in four years.
Our Italian head coach felt his team could have put in a better showing in the first 45 minutes against Grimsby Town in Sunday’s quarter-final at the Amex, but after going in at the break 1-0 up against the League Two side Albion produced a dominant second half performance and a place in the last four thanks to a 5-0 win.
“We started well with the goal and then we could have been better. But I know it’s difficult when you come up against a lower league team, to not be focussed 100 per cent. But the performance of the second half was a lot better,” he said.
“At half-time I told the players to play with more passion, attitude and to be stronger. We want to arrive at Wembley in the best position, not as tourists.”
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Evan Ferguson scored twice as he continues to impress in what has been a real breakthrough season for the Republic of Ireland international.
“He’s a very special player and a special guy,” Roberto said. “I think he’s playing very well, he can improve, to play with the team, not as a number nine but inside of the game.”
Now De Zerbi’s focus is on his team’s consistency in their pursuit of becoming a ‘great team’.
“At the moment my only focus is on playing well and to improve and to become a great team. We are not a big team yet.
“When I talk about becoming a great team, great teams play every game the same way, to try to win every game and give their best in every competition. That is our ambition.”