Fonseca: Positives to take but things to work on

Roma secured a late 2-2 draw in Perugia - maintaining the unbeaten status in pre-season - thanks to Lorenzo Pellegrini's last-minute penalty.

Aleksandar Kolarov had previously lashed home a 35-yard free-kick to equalise early in the second half.

“We made some changes from the previous game, also in view of the match on Sunday against Real Madrid," Fonseca noted.

"I saw several positive things – I saw courage in the way we moved the ball and we had more possession than against Lille, although there were errors in the first phase of our build up. In the second half we improved. There were positive aspects this evening, but in some areas there is still work to be done.”

Read what else Fonseca had to say about the contest when he spoke to Roma TV...

What are the most positive aspects you’ll take from the game?

“The team’s willingness to play out from the back. We kept the ball better and tried to dominate the game. We were up against a very good side, who are further ahead than us in their preparations. The pitch wasn’t in fantastic condition and that didn’t help us. Despite that, we kept the ball and were on the front foot – there are, however, things we need to improve.”

Did playing a Spanish side who start play from deep cause you problems?

“I know this quality they have – I’ve played them in the past. Spanish sides focus their game on possession, so it’s really credit to us that we kept so much possession ourselves and gave them so few opportunities. Their first goal came from our mistake but, overall, we were good defensively. We were tight and gave them very little. We were often able to pin them back in their own half.”

Did you tell Diego Perotti to drift inside often?

“It’s a quality we have, playing with wingers that come inside to allow the full backs to push forward on the outside. There are sometimes positioning errors that need to be cleaned up and perhaps Perotti came inside when there was no need. It’s all to do with our idea of the game.”

On Sunday you’ve got your first game at the Olimpico, against Real Madrid.

“The most important thing is to show our courage, even against a side of Real Madrid’s calibre. Regardless of who we’re playing, I believe that we must maintain our identity. Even against a side like the one we face on Sunday, we have to stay faithful to our ideas.”