Paulo Fonseca assures Roma did not lose their identity against Ajax, but merely chose ‘a different strategy’ to the one they’ll employ with Torino.
It kicks off on Sunday at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT), click here for a match preview.
The mood in the Giallorossi camp is buoyant after getting past Ajax 3-2 on aggregate to set up a Europa League semi-final against Manchester United.
Paulo Fonseca assures Roma did not lose their identity against Ajax, but merely chose ‘a different strategy’ to the one they’ll employ with Torino.
It kicks off on Sunday at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT), click here for a match preview.
The mood in the Giallorossi camp is buoyant after getting past Ajax 3-2 on aggregate to set up a Europa League semi-final against Manchester United.
“Almost all season, people told us that Roma played well when attacking, but were poor defensively. Over the two games with Ajax, we decided to take a different strategy and it paid off,” said the coach in his press conference.
“However, that does not mean Roma have lost their identity. It’s still there, we simply know how to do something else too when needed. Tomorrow we will be more attack-minded and take the initiative.
“I do not work to convince people, I work to convince Roma. The important thing is that Roma win. Now we have people suddenly on our side, we know this happens. I just focus on doing my job.
“This is a strange season and the sides that progress in Europe do pay a price domestically. For example, Villarreal who lost to Osasuna, or Bayern Munich’s draw. Playing every three days, injuries pile up, and they influence the result.
“They are still two different tournaments, though. We have to focus only on Serie A and on Torino right now, make the best tactical and technical choices for this game. It’s important that we realise the Ajax fixture is over and we turn to the next objective.
“We’ve shown in Europe that we can be concentrated and aggressive in our defending, so I’d like to see more of that in Serie A too.”
Fonseca was tight-lipped when asked if Javier Pastore could start tomorrow.
“You’ll have to wait to find that out.”