Walter Mazzarri is still reeling from Sampdoria’s defeat against his former side Reggina last weekend.
The Blucerchiati’s Champions League qualification hopes were dealt a severe blow when they fell 1-0 in Calabria and failed to close the four-point gap on fourth-placed Fiorentina.
It was a bitter afternoon for Mazzarri, who became a hero in Reggio Calabria when he guided the Amaranto to safety for three years.
“It still hurts to have lost like that,” the Tuscan tactician admitted. “It stung at the end of the game and it still does when I look back on it.
“We made mistakes that we don’t usually and did things that aren’t in our nature.
“We seemed apathetic, as if we had run out of gas. There was space, but we didn’t take advantage of it and we were indecisive and unconvincing.
“The goal we let in was indicative of the afternoon. We were three on one, but we didn’t see their player coming in from behind.
“I am disappointed for our fans having seen so many travel so far to watch the game and also for Empoli and Parma, who needed us to win.”
Samp have a crucial battle against fellow Champions League chasers Udinese next weekend and a defeat could end their hopes.
“The game in Reggio Calabria is one of those things that happens and we just have to play this next game as we did the other games in the last two months.
“We can’t mess up the next two games. We are expecting a difficult game, but at the same time an open contest that could go either way.”
