GARCIA: "WE SHOWED CHARACTER TO WIN"
French coach Rudi Garcia stated that his side's win over Bayer showed great character because his players responded to the German side rallying at the start of the second half, to get back into the game and claim three points. The Giallorossi coach then revealed how pleased he was to have secured a result in a must-win game to keep his side's hopes alive of making the knockout stages. He stressed the fact that his team needs to keep working to limit their lapses during games.
You put us through the ringer with that one!
"Sure, you won't get bored when Roma play Bayer Leverkusen, given that the two games produced 13 goals. We were brilliant in the first half and could have gone in with the score at 3-0 or 4-0. Then after five minutes of the second period they scored twice and we were left ruing not scoring more earlier. We switched off but the team showed character to get back into the match and win it. We knew we had to win to stay in the hunt for the last-16 and we did so."
Can you put those lapses down to a drop in focus defensively?
"Besides the goals, I enjoyed our defensive display, without including the Germans' second goal which they scored when Florenzi was already injured. The lads were great though because lots of teams go to pieces after conceding twice in the space of just five minutes yet the team showed they can do great things under pressure and tonight there was lots of that, both before the match and after the 50-minute mark."
How can a team with so many experienced players suffer so many slips?
"We'll work on this. We usually start the second well but not on this occasion. I still can't explain it because I haven't seen the goals again but I believe the opposition were able to get into our box too easily. We'll watch them back and study them with my staff."
Do you think when the going gets tough individual players try to win the game on their own to the detriment of the team?
"Perhaps at the start of the second half we ran two yards less than we did in the first period. The coach can try to show things like this to the players so that they take on board the right lessons but I must say overall I'm pleased with my team's performance tonight. The boys responded as they needed to."
Roma seem like they're flying and occasionally then just switch off…
"I think it's only human to be wary about the result especially after the reverse fixture but we also played against a team with a lot of talent up front. I think we showed the right competitive edge in the first half, then we were less aggressive at the start of the second and, as I've said, that's something we have to improve upon. Plus when the going gets tough we need our fans because they can help us a lot. I hope the stadium will once again be rocking in the future."
What's the latest on the injured players?
"De Rossi, Florenzi and Maicon have muscle problems. As for Daniele and Alessandro, they were already struggling with a knock after the Inter game and Daniele even before that. I hope Florenzi pulled up before a tear. I'm more concerned about Maicon because he pulled up after that lovely slide challenge in midfield. Either way we'll have to wait the usual 48 hours to know what they're at."
(Photo LaPresse)
