Di Francesco: Not the performance we wanted - especially in the derby

The Giallorossi lost 3-0 at the Stadio Olimpico.

What did you like least about this derby?

“The first half, when we were below par and Lazio won all the duels – that's where they won the game. We responded well after the break and had several chances to equalise but the penalty took the wind out of our sails.”

What technical errors did you see?

“You can't concede a goal through the middle from a throw-in – it was all too easy for them. We got our marking wrong. It can happen to anyone but it's been happening a bit too often to us this season. We played better in the second half but it wasn't enough to get us back in the game.”

Is it a case of the same mistakes being made too often?

“That's a fact. We've tried to improve certain situation and to avoid certain mistakes. Mentally it's not going right for us this year and we need to change. We didn't get off to a great start and that determined the outcome of the match. We could have levelled matters in the second half and it was a different game then. I think the 3-0 scoreline is harsh given the way the match went.”

Were the players' minds on Wednesday's match against Porto?

“There's no way you can underestimate the derby. That's not it – the way we played had nothing to do with the Champions League. This has happened to us too often this season and we really must work on the mental side of things. We seem to be on and off. After an eight-match unbeaten run, this was not the performance we wanted – especially in the derby.”