De Rossi: We let them play the game the way they wanted

See what the midfielder had to say about the game, as Keita Balde (two) and Dusan Basta scored for Simone Inzaghi's men.

Interviewer: What's the most disappointing aspect of this defeat?

De Rossi: “The most disappointing thing is that we lost in a similar way to the other games we lost to Lazio – we allowed them to play in a way that suits them down to the ground, especially when they play against us. We'd prepared for the match with the coach and in some respects we carried out the game plan well, but once they scored their second we lacked cohesion.

"It's a shame when you start the game strongly, create chances and then go behind to their first shot on goal. Then we equalised and created further chances but once again we conceded a goal from their first chance on the counter. It's hard to take... It was exactly the game they wanted to play and unfortunately they got their way. You have to give them credit.”

There was a bit of tension out there, with both Keita and yourself running past the opposition dugout after scoring your goals...

“I don't think what happened was anything out of the ordinary. You expect a bit of anger, a bit of competition and hostility, but I've rarely seen the respect there is between these two sides. The fact they want to celebrate when they score and have a little dig after winning the game is quite normal – that's part of what the derby is about.

"We'd have done the same thing in their place, and we did do it when we won the reverse fixture. It's the derby after all – let's not start getting moralistic about it.”

Roma have played eight decisive games this season, against Porto, Lyon, away to Juventus and these derbies. Why do you think you keep coming up short in the games that matter?

“I don't think that's the right way of looking at it. You say these are the games that matter because the other teams won, but if we'd lost or drawn other matches then these ones would have mattered a lot less. They'd have had the same importance as a few years ago when we were playing for seventh or eighth place. We've been playing decisive games all season long because in order to keep up with the team ahead of us – mentally if not actually – we've had to win virtually every single game. We were certainly lacking something in the games you mentioned but I don't think it's got anything to do with the fact they were more important than the games we won before them.

"All of those games you mentioned hurt, but we've had draws that hurt too – games which you might not put down as decisive but which made a difference to our league position this year. The draws with Empoli and Cagliari are the main ones.”

Do you think this defeat hurt Totti, since it might be his last derby?

“You'd have to ask him that. What's certain is that losing the derby feels different when you're from Rome. I honestly haven't spoken to him about this game, about whether it will be his last derby or whether or not this one hurts him more than others we've lost. The return leg in the cup felt special when we went over to the Curva before the match, after they'd just come back.

"We both got a bit emotional then but not because it was the last, just because it's something we feel particularly strongly about. I'm sure Francesco will be upset regardless of whether or not he'll play any more.”

What are Roma lacking?

“I'm not sure it's right for me to stand here and analyse what this team is lacking. We have a coach and a sporting director for that. Work needs to be done to make improvements because you can always improve. I have to focus on what I can do better, on what I'm lacking, on where I can improve. I don't think me coming here and telling you what I think the team needs would be right or helpful for the team.”