Paulo Fonseca faced the media on Wednesday afternoon at Trigoria, previewing the upcoming Europa League meeting with Young Boys.
The Giallorossi host the Swiss side at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday evening (kick-off 21:00 CET) knowing that they have already qualified for the knockout stages of the competition - but that a win would go a long way to securing them top spot in Group A too.
Here's what the boss had to say going into the contest...
Roma, during this current run of 10 games in 30 days, hasn't had a Monday match in the league to follow a Europa League game. On Sunday you will play against Sassuolo less than 72 hours after the game against Young Boys. Do you feel the team is being penalised by the Serie A calendar?
“Naturally, I would always like to have more time for the team to recover from each game. I think that those that play in the Europa League [on Thursday] could play the following Monday in the league.
"But that can’t be an excuse, especially because we’ve also been able to rotate a number of players during the group stage.”
Can you confirm that the chairman was angry in the changing room after the loss in Naples?
“It’s not true. But I want to say more than that. Ever since I arrived here I have always had respect for the journalists and their work, I’ve always spoken open and honestly with you all. But that story is a complete lie. It’s unprofessional, I can’t accept it. It shows a lack of respect for the club. And, I say it again, it’s not professional.”
Do the players know where they went wrong against Napoli?
“Yes, after the first defeat of the season we analysed it; the players know the mistakes they made against Napoli and where we need to improve. It’s normal that is what happens.”
Are you worried that the loss to Napoli has knocked the squad’s confidence?
“No. Obviously it’s important to work out what we did badly, but we do that without being dramatic or depressed. That sort of stuff happens outside the club, but I don’t want it to be a part of what we do here at Trigoria.
"The team knows what went wrong, they’ve understood the mistakes, but overall the players are still confidence. One result against Napoli shouldn’t change that confidence.”
A lot of your fellow managers coach in press conferences too – sending messages to their players in different ways. You, however, remain pretty inscrutable in both victory and defeat. Can you tell us one area you criticised players after the loss against Napoli?
“I always try and remain balanced in my analysis. When we speak with the media after each game everything is still very fresh and we need to try and keep a balance.
"It’s one thing to analyse the game with the media, it’s another to do it with the players. I don’t have any issue telling them what I really think. But that detailed analysis remains between me and the team, and that’s it.”
Edin Dzeko and Lorenzo Pellegrini did not appear to be at their best against Napoli in terms of their fitness. Will they play tomorrow then, to get minutes in their legs, or is it better for them to rest?
“We’ll see tomorrow. It’s true that they’ve both been out for a while and it’s best for us to keep a close eye on both of them, but we shall see.”
Tomorrow Roma are playing for top spot in the group. Following on from the Napoli game, are you more interested in the result or the performance?
“The result is always the most important thing, but the performance is key too. The team needs to make sure they play the way they know how. The game against Napoli is gone now, we need to look ahead – focus on another game, one we want to go out there and win.”
(Photo Getty Images)
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Source: legaseriea.it