Bortolo Mutti believes that the talk about Alessandro Parisi is affecting him.
Messina coach Bortolo Mutti believes that the speculation surrounding Manchester United target Alessandro Parisi prevented him from playing at his best against Juventus.Parisi has been in scintillating form all season for Messina as they have become the surprise packages of Serie A.
However, the wing back looked out of sorts in a 2-1 defeat in Turin, and Mutti admits the talk may have unsettled his star.
"At one point I was going to bring him off," admitted Mutti. "But I preferred to give him the whole match.
"He wanted desperately to play well but the motion and the rumours that have surrounded him have blocked him from this.
"I don't think he was able to concentrate fully on the game."
Mutti believes that Messina were brave in their approach, but lapses cost them a result.
"We paid dearly for two inattentions," added Mutti.
"Against a big team like Juventus anything is possible.
"In the second half we played better but we have to be a little more cynical.
"I think we played in the right way and battled right up to the final whistle. What more can you do?"
