FONSECA: "THE PLAYERS DESERVED A DIFFERENT RESULT"
Paulo Fonseca spoke in his post-match press conference after the 1-1 draw between Roma and Borussia Monchengladbach on Matchday 3 of the 2019/2020 UEFA Europa League Group Stage.
"We mustn't forget we were playing the Bundesliga leaders, and with all the problems we have we kept things under control, stayed strong defensively and battled for every ball.”
You'll have some work to do psychologically now. Do you think this might affect morale?
“This is football. Now we must respond immediately. We know we played well, despite all our problems. The players deserved a different result.”
You had the idea of playing Gianluca Mancini in midfield. How do you rate his performance in what was a new position for him?
“Mancini is a fighter and a good player. He played really well and it was the first time he'd played in that position. It's not easy for a centre-back to switch to midfield.”
Could he play there again against AC Milan?
“We'll see. The truth if we don't have many options. After today's match this is a decent option for us.”
Is Javier Pastore becoming a more important player than people thought in the summer?
“It's not easy to play two games like this after so many fitness problems. I spoke to him and he said he was ready to play.”
Do you have an idea of who could be back-up for Edin Dzeko? Nicolo Zaniolo looked like a number nine today.
“I thought about playing myself, but I was a defender... I think Zaniolo is the only option we have. We know it's not his natural position but we don't have any other options.”
(Photo Getty Images)
