EN
  • IT
  • Home News

    Fonseca: I will continue giving my all for Roma


    Paulo Fonseca hosted his customary pre-match press conference on Wednesday afternoon at Trigoria.

    Fonseca faced the media ahead of Thursday's Europa League semi-final second leg against Manchester United - as the Giallorossi aim to overcome a 6-2 first leg deficit.

    The game at the Stadio Olimpico gets underway at 21:00 CEST.

    The press conference was also the first time Fonseca had spoken to the media since the announcement he would be leaving the club at the end of the season - with José Mourinho coming to the club.

    Read what Fonseca had to say about all that and more...

    I have to ask you, how are you feeling right now – after the announcement of your impending departure yesterday, along with the arrival of José Mourinho for the next three years?

    “For me, professionalism is something I believe is very important. I am okay, I am focused on things here just like I was the very first day I got here. I am motivated, I want to do the best I can for Roma for as long as I am still here.

    "Mourinho is a great coach, everyone knows that, and I am sure he will do a great job here.”

    How will you cope with things for the next month, knowing that even in the media everyone will be talking about Mourinho? Will it be one of the most difficult challenges of your career?

    “No, no it won’t be. I will go through this period with the same attitude; being professional, focusing on my work and doing that until the last day.”

    Did you watch Roma’s comeback against Barcelona in 2018? Do you think tomorrow’s challenge could be compared with that one – or do you think it’s an even tougher task?

    “Clearly it is not easy to beat Manchester United by four goals – but I have seen a lot of things happen in football. Nothing is impossible. I believe that anything can happen.”

    We read what you had to say in the statement about your departure. Was the decision to part ways one you shared with the ownership, or did you still believe you could offer something to Roma?

    “Honestly, the time has come for us to follow different paths. I can acknowledge that, I think that’s normal.”

    Will you play with two strikers tomorrow?

    “Let’s see tomorrow.”

    Will Manchester United be fresher tomorrow, having not played at the weekend against Liverpool [after it was called off due to safety concerns]?

    “I’m expecting a tough game. Going up against Manchester United is always very difficult. They have a good first leg advantage but we want to win the game. We want to fight until the very end.”