AS Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini has questioned Real Madrid’s overall performance despite their dramatic 4-3 Champions League victory, insisting that his side was superior for much of the contest.
Real Madrid scored three goals in the final seven minutes to overturn a 1-3 deficit, leaving Roma stunned after appearing to have secured the three points.
Speaking after the match, Gasperini criticised his team’s defending during the closing stages while suggesting that Jose Mourinho’s side had resorted to sending every available attacker forward.
The Italian also challenged Mourinho’s assessment of Roma’s physical condition, arguing that Madrid had struggled more than the visitors.
Gasperini questions Real Madrid’s late attacking approach
Gasperini acknowledged that Real Madrid’s desperation created opportunities for Roma to attack on the counter, but admitted that the Spanish giants eventually made their approach work.
“Without a doubt, we had plenty of space to attack in open play. It’s clear they were desperate and threw every striker they had into the fray, sending them forward,” said Gasperini.
“At that moment, Real Madrid only had that one weapon; they had no other options. They did well, even if it hurts us.
“There’s not much more you can do when they manage to play like that, so you have to acknowledge that they got it right,” he added.
The Roma manager was particularly frustrated by how easily Real Madrid scored after his team had established a two-goal advantage.
With Roma leading 3-1 in the 83rd minute, Gasperini felt his players should have been capable of protecting their lead rather than allowing Madrid to complete the comeback.
Real Madrid produced a stunning comeback against Roma. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
He complained that the goals came “far too easily”, with Roma “completely caught off guard” during the decisive period.
“That’s what really annoys me,” he said.
Gasperini admits defensive mistakes in Champions League collapse
Gasperini also pointed to his team’s earlier defensive work, arguing that Roma had successfully handled Real Madrid’s attacking pressure before the late collapse.
“We could have done better, because in the first half we also conceded quite a few corners and defended well, without ever being in any real danger.
“In that phase, as well as the three chances, there was a fourth where the ball went just two centimetres wide,” he added.
Despite the disappointment, the Italian insisted that Roma’s performance should not be judged entirely on the closing minutes.
“There is a real risk of erasing everything this match has been about and focusing solely on the last seven minutes.
“I cannot do that, although it is clearly also true that you have to know how to see matches through to the end,” he emphasised.
Gasperini acknowledged that Roma had experienced similar difficulties in the past and suggested that his players needed to show greater determination in decisive moments.
He admitted that his team lacked ‘a bit of character’ when Madrid increased the pressure.
Gian Piero Gasperini has hit back at Jose Mourinho. (Photo by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images)
“We also need to understand that we were at the decisive moment of the match. We had to hold firm and maintain our lead, and do so decisively.
“Although it’s not very common to see a match end like this, we also need to have the strength to look at the rest of the game and build on what we did well,” he analysed.
The Roma manager maintained that his side had produced a strong overall performance, despite the result.
“However, the goals came as a result of that specific move. We have to give them credit, although we’re leaving disappointed by how the match ended.
“Otherwise, we were undoubtedly up to the task and I’d say we were far superior to them,” he noted.
Gasperini hits back at Mourinho
Gasperini reserved his strongest response for Mourinho, who had suggested that Roma could not maintain their demanding intensity for the full 90 minutes.
The Italian rejected that interpretation, arguing that Madrid were the team struggling physically before their late comeback.
“Mourinho says we were tired? If anyone was exhausted, it was them. We could have scored many more goals; they were outclassed in everything.
“Fair enough, their goals from corner kicks count, but Real certainly weren’t on our level,” he concluded.
Source: Mundo Deportivo