Roma director Tony D’Amico tries to focus on ’80 spectacular minutes’ against Real Madrid rather than the end result, but shrugs off Endrick questions. ‘We’ll do our best in January.’
They host Slovan Bratislava this evening, it kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).
The Giallorossi are still trying to shake off the shock of their 4-3 defeat to Real Madrid, a game they had been dominating with a 3-1 lead until conceding three practically identical goals from corner kicks in the space of seven minutes.
Along with the opening 1-1 draw away to Fenerbahce, the pressure is therefore on to get their first victory this evening against Slovan Bratislava.
D’Amico looks at Roma positives
“Those seven minutes were unusual, they left us breathless,” D’Amico told Sky Sport Italia.
“This is the Champions League, it is a very difficult competition, but we also remember 80 spectacular minutes played by the team. As with every game, whether it is a win or a defeat, you have to analyse everything and not just the result.
“There are many positive elements about that performance, the negative was the result.”
Donyell Malen was suspended for the weekend’s Serie A victory over Genoa and returns here, but Paulo Dybala, Manu Koné and Mile Svilar are still out, with Bryan Cristante back on the bench after a month out with a knee injury.
Amid injuries, Roma are dipping into their youth academy products like Niccolò Pisilli and Emanuele Lulli.
“It was a great evening against Genoa, we were curious to see these youngsters in action too, but Gian Piero Gasperini is an expert at getting the best out of youth.
“That match came hot on the heels of Real Madrid, so the lads did so well and we are happy to be able to count on them.”
Notably, the catalyst for Real Madrid fighting back from 3-1 down to beat Roma 4-3 was the introduction off the bench of Endrick.
Considering the Giallorossi had tried so hard to sign the Brazilian on loan over the summer, will they try again in January?
“That is a long way in the future, so we want to concentrate on ourselves right now,” noted D’Amico.
“We’ll try to do our best in January to give the coach and squad more resources for the many games we’re going into.”