Sassuolo advance past Frosinone in Coppa Italia, Aquilani praises squad depth and youngster Cinquegrano
Sassuolo secured a place in the next round of the Coppa Italia after a hard‑fought victory over Frosinone at the Mapei Stadium. The win, which came in the round of 16, sees the Emilian side move forward in Italy's premier cup competition and adds momentum to their domestic campaign.
Head coach Alberto Aquilani highlighted the strategic importance of the cup tie, noting that the competition offers a valuable platform to rotate the squad. "We have to take this competition seriously because the Coppa Italia is beautiful. We have players who need minutes and we used this match for that," Aquilani said in the post‑match press conference.
Aquilani also singled out the performance of 19‑year‑old forward Luca Cinquegrano, who impressed with his energy and willingness to take on challenges. "He has been good from day one, showing the desire to put himself in difficult situations. He did well but it is not enough; he must keep improving," the coach explained, adding that the club has full confidence in the youngster.
While satisfied with the result, Aquilani admitted there are still areas that require refinement. "The win gratifies us, but we have aspects to improve, as always," he remarked, emphasizing the need for tactical discipline and defensive solidity in upcoming fixtures.
Looking ahead, Sassuolo will prepare for their next Serie A encounter, aiming to carry the confidence gained from the cup triumph into the league. Aquilani expects the squad to maintain the rotation policy, giving fringe players further opportunities to prove themselves.
The coach concluded by urging his players to stay humble and focused. "He must keep his head low and continue like this," Aquilani said, referring to Cinquegrano, underscoring the club's commitment to nurturing home‑grown talent while pursuing success on all fronts.