Sampdoria coach Mimmo di Carlo has admitted some relief over Antonio Cassano's move to AC Milan.

Di Carlo says the upheaval of Cassano's blow-up with management was difficult to handle.

"In effect recently we have spoken little about the team and a lot about external problems," Di Carlo said.

"All this has unsettled us, even if as players and coaches we mustn't make something out of it.

"However, we know very well how things went. If someone is never a matter for debate on a technical level, but rather always for another, then that someone pays.

"Today I see the road ahead is much smoother. There are no more mountains to climb like before. It will up to us now to turn it into a descent, looking to push down on the accelerator seeing that there are no more problems.

"We need only try to improve our place in the table and grow at the same time in terms of performances and intensity."