In the last press conference, Sassuolo coach Roberto Vanoli reiterated that trust in Oulai is still only verbal. The young Ivorian midfielder, who had shown a promising taste of the game during the match against Atalanta, was not included in this evening's match against Fiorentina. Vanoli has decided to rely once again on Nicolò Fagioli to lead the midfield, avoiding putting further pressure on the youngster at a delicate moment of the season.
Vanoli clearly expressed his reasons. “I didn't like the attacks on Fagioli, he was heavily criticized only for a wrong time,” said the coach, underlining that the choice not to give more minutes to Fagioli was motivated by a desire to protect the midfielder. At the same time, he reiterated that Oulai is a young boy who must be made to grow even by leaving him on the bench, a philosophy that seems to contradict the tendency of modern football to give space to emerging talents.
The discrepancy between words and deeds is evident. Although Vanoli has often compared Oulai to N'Golo Kanté, his playing time has been limited. In three games under Grosso's management, Oulai accumulated 123 minutes, while under Vanoli he played just 90 minutes in six games. Furthermore, the Ivorian shared the pitch with Fagioli for just 79 minutes: 10 against Frosinone, 24 against Torino and 45 against Genoa, where he played in an unusual position as an attacking midfielder.
The next match in Reggio Emilia could represent an opportunity to understand if Vanoli really intends to give more space to Oulai. The coach has already expressed his desire to try both solutions, but so far the choice has remained with Fagioli. If trust in young people is to translate into concrete actions, it will be necessary to give Oulai the chance to make an impact from the first minute. The outcome of this decision will influence not only the dynamics of the midfield, but also Sassuolo's position in the Serie A standings.