Soriano: “We need to keep fighting until the end – we can’t let up”

Sampdoria captain Roberto Soriano has praised his side’s performance in defeat to AC Milan on Sunday night, calling for his team-mates to maintain the same standards from now until the end of the season.

“It wasn’t easy today because they’ve just changed their manager and so the players have to prove themselves and give everything they have,” the Blucerchiati No.21 said after the game. “I think we produced a good performance for the full 90 minutes so it’s a shame, especially because we had the ball in the net.

“A point would have been useful in our pursuit of safety, but all we can do now is go to Sassuolo to recoup what we’ve lost today. The quality of our play has improved a lot under Montella, but we were just lacking that finishing touch in front of goal tonight. We’re sad and pretty annoyed,” revealed Soriano.

Soriano was also asked about his ambitions to be selected for Italy’s Euro 2016 squad: “I want to give my all in the remaining matches to earn a call-up from [Antonio] Conte. I really feel for Marchisio getting injured. He’s a very important player for Italy and I wish him a speedy recovery.”