FONSECA: THE GOALS WILL HELP BORJA'S CONFIDENCE
Coach Paulo Fonseca was happy with the professionalism his players showed as they beat CFR Cluj 5-0 on Thursday evening. The Giallorossi made a big step towards qualifying from Group A in the Europa League with an emphatic display at the Stadio Olimpico - as Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Roger Ibanez, Borja Mayoral (2) and Pedro all got on the scoresheet. Here's what the boss had to say...
There were so many positives tonight – but which one stood out for you?
“It’s always important to keep a clean sheet. Now it looks like it was an easy game for us, but Cluj have been doing well in the Europa League and have won the Romanian league three times recently.
"But we started well, we put in a professional display – and when you do both those things everything becomes a little easier. I was pleased by everyone tonight.”
You defended Borja Mayoral before the game. How much did pushing Henrikh Mkhitaryan up alongside him tonight help him out though?
“It was useful for tonight’s game. I chose that setup not because it would mean Borja had another forward alongside him, but because it was the right way to go about things in this game.
"Borja, Pedro and Micki all played well. Borja is a young player who we need to be patient with as he adapts. I’m really pleased he got two goals tonight, that will help his confidence.”
A third clean sheet in a row – what does that mean for the team?
“It means that defensively the team feels solid. We’ve changed players across those games, but the desire to keep things solid at the back has remained throughout.”
Did you expect Pedro to start so well here?
“Yes – Pedro is a great professional and a different type of player that adds a lot to the squad. He’s brought a different attitude and professionalism. I think that’s important too.”
You also opted to give Tommaso Milanese a debut tonight…
“The scoreline meant we had the chance to give him that opportunity. The Primavera are doing really well this season – we have two or three players from there who are training with us most days, and Milanese has deserved the chance he got tonight.”
Do you see Bryan Cristante as capable of playing further forward, or more as a defensive midfielder?
“I do – but right now we don’t have Amadou Diawara and the other central midfielders are a bit more attack-minded than he is. Bryan is great and starting pasing moves, he’s good physically when he’s playing centre-back too – but clearly he’s capable of playing further forward as well.”
(Photo Getty Images)
