Luciano Spalletti revealed some Roma players tried to “scapegoat” Edin Dzeko and Mohamed Salah for missing chances against Real Madrid.
The Coach was furious and shocked after the 2-0 Champions League defeat this week, slamming his players for feeling happy that they at least created scoring opportunities.
Luciano Spalletti revealed some Roma players tried to “scapegoat” Edin Dzeko and Mohamed Salah for missing chances against Real Madrid.
The Coach was furious and shocked after the 2-0 Champions League defeat this week, slamming his players for feeling happy that they at least created scoring opportunities.
“It’s more of a psychological issue. I said we should be more disappointed at not getting a result than consoled by the compliments we’d receive,” reiterated Spalletti in today’s Press conference.
“I had assumed there would be compliments, as the good things have to be lifted to the forefront eventually, but that has to be the secondary consideration.
“The first thing you think of shouldn’t be ‘we did pretty well’ or ‘but it’s Real Madrid.’ I was worried beforehand that we’d think like that, believing that losing gracefully was enough.
“We should’ve thought that we absolutely must go for it and win this, because we have the chance to do so.
“Players make mistakes and what you in the media say, that this player shouldn’t be allowed on the field anymore, that is what breaks up the team.
“There’s another thing too. You focused only on those who missed chances. Some of my players said the same too, that we had 10 chances, what more can we do? But they weren’t those who missed the shots. They were the others who said that.
“It’s almost as if they and you are trying to find the scapegoat to blame for the defeat. Don’t forget we also conceded goals that were avoidable, even against Real Madrid.
“I don’t want someone to feel relieved about their performance, as if it was the fault of the forward who missed. I didn’t like that reaction. If they had provided the pass a little better or helped follow up the move, maybe it would’ve been a goal. I want them to think like that.
“It was fundamental that we reach the right mentality to win. When we created chances, we acted almost surprised. ‘What, another one?’ That is the mentality we cannot have in the Champions League.
“So I can say right now that Dzeko will play tomorrow because you in the media prepared the groundwork for his reaction with everything you’ve written about him.”