Roma full-back Leonardo Spinazzola is pleased with Roma’s attacking display during their hectic 2-1 win over Udinese, which was continued on Thursday evening after the game was originally suspended on April 14.
Only 18 minutes of action was played before stoppage time, as action continued from the 72nd minute, when the original game had been halted after Evan Ndicka’s worrying collapse.
In unusual circumstances, Roma came out all guns blazing and eventually struck gold through Bryan Cristante, who glanced in a header from a Paulo Dybala corner in the final minute of stoppage time.
Speaking to Sky Sport Italia at full-time, Spinazzola said that the preparations for the 25-minute showdown against Udinese was: “really, really complicated.”
He also provided details on how Daniele De Rossi and his coaching staff prepared the players for such an odd occasion.
“Beginning with the warm-up, where we had a long session that included us playing mini-games to get up to the speed of things straight away. We were really good, creating three or four scoring opportunities. We were happy with these three really important points.”
Roma’s line-up was officially listed with a back three, although it was often a back two at times, with Rick Karsdorp, Angelino and Spinazzola allowed to push forwards on the wings and into midfield.
“We prepared to be attacking. Angelino and I are both full-backs and we could put lots of crosses in looking for Azmoun and Abraham. It went well and we are really happy,” Spinazzola said.
Roma still have lots of important matches left to play before the end of the 2023-24 campaign, including a Europa League semi-final double header against Bayer Leverkusen, and crucial Serie A clashes against Napoli, Juventus, Atalanta and Milan.
“It’s a great statement, but now we immediately have to think about Napoli and try to win against them, too. But there’s also Leverkusen, Juve, we want to win all of them.
When asked how the squad are feeling ahead of their first game against the still-unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen in a week’s time, Spinazzola replied: “Good, we are going up against a very strong side. Getting to the semi-finals is always nice, as it is being in the last month of the championship with everything still to play for.”