Eusebio Di Francesco asked why Roma “need to get a slap in the face” before reacting, but the 1-1 draw with Milan showed Daniele De Rossi’s importance.
The pressure was on after a 7-1 Coppa Italia defeat to Fiorentina, but Nicolò Zaniolo cancelled out a Krzysztof Piatek opener for this draw.
Eusebio Di Francesco asked why Roma “need to get a slap in the face” before reacting, but the 1-1 draw with Milan showed Daniele De Rossi’s importance.
The pressure was on after a 7-1 Coppa Italia defeat to Fiorentina, but Nicolò Zaniolo cancelled out a Krzysztof Piatek opener for this draw.
“It’s a pity we need to get a slap in the face before finding our way. We must do well to crawl out rather than try to jump out of a hole, which we dug ourselves,” the Coach told Sky Sport Italia.
“We clearly would’ve deserved the victory with this performance and it was only a few days after Florence. The Coach must make the most of the characteristics at his disposal, but the team makes me angry a little, because we know this system and sometimes do it all wrong.”
It was De Rossi’s first start in three months and the veteran made a big impact in midfield.
“De Rossi was extraordinary tonight, as he knows football so well and makes everyone around him play better. There are some players who are fundamental and De Rossi is one of them, as he sets the tempo, he varies the passes and sparks the moves. If we play 4-3-3, we cannot do without him.
“This was a positive response to Florence, but could never wipe out that game, even if we had won. The lads showed character in the circumstances and I hope it is yet another starting point to reach the next level.”
This was perhaps the first time in which Patrik Schick and Edin Dzeko played together while being effective.
“I put Schick slightly wider so he wouldn’t get tangled up with Dzeko. The important thing is that today I saw Patrik was alive and kicking. We know he has the technique and the intelligence and can play so many roles, but with this determination, he can really make an impact.
“Zaniolo is one of the few midfielders I’ve got who also has pace and power. He needs to improve a little once he gets to the by-line, as his cross is always the same. He needs to vary his choices and be a little less predictable once he gets into the crossing position.
"The thing Zaniolo shares with Francesco Totti is that he always wants the ball. If he makes a mistake, he doesn't get downhearted, he wants to immediately get it back and try again. I hope he can continue to play with that joy and verve."