DI FRANCESCO: "WE HAVE TO BE BETTER IN THESE GAMES"
Read what coach Eusebio Di Francesco had to say after Roma's TIM Cup exit on Wednesday evening. The Giallorossi lost 2-1 at home to Torino, despite a first goal for the club from forward Patrik Schick. Roma created more than 20 shots - and had a penalty saved - at the Stadio Olimpico, but once again seemed to struggle with their cutting edge in front of goal.
You didn't get much luck today and it's another game in which Roma couldn't find the net. Another missed penalty too...
“It's a shame because we created loads of chances tonight. Perhaps we were found a bit wanting on set pieces. We got distracted and lost our men – that's why we conceded. Looking at all the openings we fashioned and the way we managed the game, I must say it was a good performance in terms of the chances we had. We didn't really get the rub of the green but that's our own fault. We must be more clinical.”
Why was it decided Edin Dzeko should take the penalty when Diego Perotti was on the pitch?
“When a player is up for it, it's right to let him take it. He was sure he would score and he didn't. It's a pity as it may get to him a little psychologically.”
You went with lots of your second-string players today. Is that why you lost?
“Apart from Emerson Palmieri, who was coming back from injury, and [Lukasz] Skorupski, all the others had been playing regularly lately. It wasn't a case of rotating and bringing in guys who have never played before. I think we struggled a touch with [Andrea] Belotti's physicality but we always tried to boss the game and I'm pleased about that – less so with the result. Going through would have been good for our growth and it's something we really wanted.”
Could this defeat knock the team's confidence ahead of the Juventus game?
“We're sorry to go out of the TIM Cup. If we want to be a great team, we have to be great in games like this too. We must grow and mature. I would have been worried if we'd played really badly today but we seemed to have the same problems as in the league. We're creating plenty of chances but not taking enough of them. [Stephan] El Shaarawy hit the post, [Patrik] Schick got his goal and we had the penalty. There are lots of situations where we can do better.”
Did this match held you understand who your first-choice players are and who's back-up?
“Juan Jesus played today and he's often started games. The same goes for Bruno Peres if you look at the numbers, and [Maxime] Gonalons too. I'm sure we played the same way we normally do. We came up short defensively on a couple of occasions. They had two chances from set pieces - we had more but our finishing let us down. Performance-wise, the team did what I asked of them.”
How do you think Schick played?
“He needed a goal. His movement was good both on his own and then when he was partnered by Dzeko. They got a bit of criticism last time they played together but their movement was good today. Patrik needs to keep performing and scoring regularly, but this goal will be a real confidence boost for him.”
What about El Shaarawy?
“His movement was good too and he had two or three good chances. He was terribly unlucky to hit the bar but he did well to receive the ball between the lines take on his man. I'm happy with how he played. We must be more alert at set pieces as that's where games are often won.”
(Photo LaPresse)
