Eusebio Di Francesco was defiant against “idle chatter and pessimism” in the media, insisting opinions can change quickly for Roma, as they did for Milan.
The two sides meet on Sunday at 19.30 GMT, click here for a match preview.
Just days after an historic 7-1 drubbing against Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia quarter-final, Di Francesco was asked what Roma could do next.
Eusebio Di Francesco was defiant against “idle chatter and pessimism” in the media, insisting opinions can change quickly for Roma, as they did for Milan.
The two sides meet on Sunday at 19.30 GMT, click here for a match preview.
Just days after an historic 7-1 drubbing against Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia quarter-final, Di Francesco was asked what Roma could do next.
“We need to put in a performance at the highest level, above all mentally,” shrugged the Coach in his Press conference.
“Milan had been in a difficult situation a few weeks ago, almost the same situation as us, but played two very good games against Napoli in Serie A and the Coppa Italia. Opinions can change very quickly.”
Daniele De Rossi has not started a match since October, but he is thrown in at the deep end tomorrow because Bryan Cristante and Steven Nzonzi are both suspended.
“I hope he can be almost our Coach on the field, as that is very important at this moment. On the other hand, there are some very real doubts over his fitness levels, as he has been out for three months. He used to feel pain every time he kicked the ball, but has trained well recently and can now do more or less everything.”
Edin Dzeko has a point to prove following his red card for dissent during the Coppa Italia loss to Fiorentina.
“That was the ugliest part of a horrible defeat. Edin was the first to apologise to his teammates, he had the wrong attitude and left us down to 10 men in a tough situation. We compromised the match even more because a defeat is painful, but we should’ve shown intelligence by not conceding so many goals late on.
“We still lack that consistency and ability to hold out under pressure. I understand there is depression, but in life, in football and all lines of work, the key is not avoiding a setback, but being able to react to it and turn things around.
“The good thing about football is that a few days later, you have the opportunity to prove it was only a blip. Roma had been improving before that and although we evidently weren’t fully recovered from previous issues, we’re gasping for air, but not dead yet and can still be saved.
“I feel a bit like a father who hasn’t given his children the right advice this time, but in others I know that I did. We’ve got to rediscover that unity and not get torn apart in moments of difficulty.
“It has happened too many times now, with relapses against Chievo, Bologna, Atalanta and Fiorentina, so we must reflect to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
“More than seek who to blame, I have to find solutions. Your job is different, you write and judge, but I need to find the way to resolve the problems. We are all responsible and must make up for it.
“I know this is a pessimistic atmosphere around Roma. You have to talk about football for 24 hours a day, you’ve got to fill it with something, so I understand. You keep asking me if I’ll resign, but you should just talk to the players and realise if we are united or not. The rest is idle chatter.”