Rudi Garcia maintains Roma “gave all they had at their disposal” against Fiorentina and must focus on other objectives.
It has been a disastrous start to 2015, drawing four consecutive Serie A games and crashing out of the Coppa 2-0 on home turf.
Rudi Garcia maintains Roma “gave all they had at their disposal” against Fiorentina and must focus on other objectives.
It has been a disastrous start to 2015, drawing four consecutive Serie A games and crashing out of the Coppa 2-0 on home turf.
“We played a good first half, but that is not sufficient to win,” the Coach told Rai Sport.
“Fiorentina scored at their first opportunity, but that’s football. Being clinical, especially in a knockout game, is important. I have nothing to say to my lads, as they gave all they had at their disposal tonight.
“We are conceding too many goals at the moment and aren’t very sharp in attack. We also have fewer choices at our disposal.
“I was forced to play Ibarbo, who hasn’t played for a month and a half and only had one training session with us. He is the positive note from today.
“Now we have to get straight back to work. We have Serie A and the Europa League, those are the only two things left.”
The Giallorossi are now only four points clear of Napoli and seven behind leaders Juventus in Serie A.
“You can see the squad knows there are problems, so players take fewer risks. They don’t feel confident. We have to win at Cagliari to turn the tide and try to get luck going our way again. Then the absentees will return and we’ll be stronger. We need to be more solid in defence and more clinical in attack.”
After the final whistle the Curva Sud called the players over and hurled insults, demanding they put more grit and determination into their performances.
“I want to underline that the Curva Sud encouraged the team for the whole game. That was a wonderful thing,” insisted Garcia.
“The fans are disappointed, as are we, but they can rest assured we will get straight back to work for a return to winning ways.
“I did not expect so many problems with injuries, though we did of course expect to be without the African Cup of Nations players. We could’ve done with a little more luck.
“Although we went close to qualification, we finished third in the Champions League group, as expected. I thought we’d see more organisation and hunger, but that’s not the case right now.
“You can tell the quality of a squad in moments of difficulty, not when everything is going well. In that sense, I am reassured. We will fight to win the next game, awaiting the full-strength Roma.”