Key players out for Zanetti: ‘I have bad news’

Venezia coach Paolo Zanetti had many bad news ahead of the match against Sassuolo on Saturday, losing Antonio Junior Vacca, Mattia Aramu and Daan Heymans ahead of the trip to Reggio-Emilia.

The newly promoted side arrive after a 1-0 win over Fiorentina last time and are hoping to build on the unbeaten run of three games at the Mapei Stadium.

But Zanetti revealed he has lost three important players ahead of the ninth round of fixtures.

“I bring bad news,” he said at a press conference. “Vacca has suffered a strain so we will lose him for about four games.

“Aramu is at home with a fever, Heymans is out for familiar reasons and has travelled to Belgium. There are heavy absences and it’s useless to hide. We are talking about players who were doing well.

“Those who have waited for this moment, now have the opportunity to take advantage of a chance by putting all the efforts made in training on the pitch.

“We have to show that the absences weigh, but only on paper and not on the pitch.”

Venezia sit 15th in Serie A with eight points from eight games and are tied with Sassuolo ahead of the match.