Rudi Garcia said Roma “proved this team has soul” after a 2-2 comeback with Sassuolo, but is sorry for Sergio Aguero.
The Giallorossi were 2-0 down through a Simone Zaza brace and despite Daniele De Rossi’s red card, fought back to snatch a point through Adem Ljajic.
“This team has a soul. If we needed more proof, we got it tonight. It feels like a victory, as to fight back from 2-0 down with 10 men, the lads were just exceptional,” Garcia told Sky Sport Italia.
Rudi Garcia said Roma “proved this team has soul” after a 2-2 comeback with Sassuolo, but is sorry for Sergio Aguero.
The Giallorossi were 2-0 down through a Simone Zaza brace and despite Daniele De Rossi’s red card, fought back to snatch a point through Adem Ljajic.
“This team has a soul. If we needed more proof, we got it tonight. It feels like a victory, as to fight back from 2-0 down with 10 men, the lads were just exceptional,” Garcia told Sky Sport Italia.
“I can also say Sassuolo proved again they are a team with genuine quality, though we knew that already.”
Douglas Maicon, Francesco Totti, Radja Nainggolan, Davide Astori and Gervinho were rested ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League showdown with Manchester City.
“The squad is there for that and we cannot play an entire season with 11 men. I have no regrets, I’m happy with what they did, as even with 10 men we had over 77 per cent possession and around 24 shots on goal.
“The only thing I felt we got wrong was that few of those finishes actually landed on target, which we need to improve.
“Iturbe fights hard on the field, I liked him today, as he was explosive in the change of pace and went for goal.
“Destro could’ve changed his movement a little and gone for the near post with so many crosses coming in.”
Roma were given a chance to get back into the game with a penalty for a handling offence, but as it struck Sime Vrsaljko’s leg first and ricocheted on to the hand, it should not have been awarded. Does this mean Garcia’s complaints about previous refereeing errors are balancing themselves out?
“The points lost are never compensated for, as the timing is crucial too. As for the handball, there needs to be a uniformity in the decisions, that is the problem. We had a penalty against us for being in a wall covering the face, while here the ball would’ve gone through without hitting the arm. It would be a lot easier if there was a rule saying every handball in the box is a penalty.”
The first goal was gifted to Sassuolo by a howler from goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis, who two days ago penned a new deal with Roma.
“I think Morgan wanted to celebrate his contract renewal! When we are 2-0 down against such a rapid attack, it is not easy to avoid being exposed to the counter-attack.
“I did see Sassuolo had one shot on target in the second half and De Sanctis performed a truly crucial save. I told him to keep his concentration, as even with 10 men we barely suffered at all.”
News has filtered through that Manchester City striker Aguero could have knee ligament damage after hobbling off in tears during a game with Everton today.
“It’s a shame, as he’s such a great player and if it’s really a serious injury then that is a pity for football. I’d have preferred to see him at the Olimpico on Wednesday.
“This is one of the reasons why we Coaches rotate the squad, as with Dzeko injured he was always playing and there was the risk of this happening.”