Di Francesco: A shameful performance

Roma suffered a clear defeat at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

A defeat that is difficult to explain…

“The only thing to do right now is apologise to our supporters, and the fans who came in such numbers here tonight. I struggle to find an explanation after a game that was played and managed so badly, from all points of view, and way below our usual standards and expectations. I apologise to them personally, for a shameful performance in so many ways.”

Are you able to understand why some of it happens?

“A few games back people thought the squad had bounced back, and instead we collapsed again too easily. You don’t need to talk about the tactical mistakes, which were there and obviously so. The main thing is the mentality, that ability to keep battling away in games even when things are going wrong – to stay together when things are going badly, not having the wrong attitude during the game. Because you lose and you win together. This is what hurts most right after this game.”

Do you feel responsible, because you aren’t able to get in the heads of the players?

“I am the one in charge. How could I not feel responsible? When the team was reborn and was playing well, though, the coach was the same one. I question myself and I struggle to come up with clear answers. When others thought that the team had healed I always said that we still had work to do – and that’s still the feeling."