Pellegrini confident attitude has been corrected

Following the 2-2 Europa League draw with Wolfsberg, where questions were raised about the attitude of the players, the Giallorossi responded with a vastly-improved performance at the Olimpico - coming from behind to beat the Serie A strugglers.

Pellegrini sparked the comeback with a 53rd minute goal, as Diego Perotti and substitute Henrikh Mkhitaryan rounded off the scoring.

Paulo Fonseca's side now have one more game - against Fiorentina on Friday - to close out 2019.

“Our attitude was definitely better after the interval, considering we scored three goals, but I thought we did some good things in the first half as well. I felt we were doing okay,” Pellegrini said.

“Against Fiorentina we need to do what we did today, go out there with a desire to take the game to them. It’ll be tough against Fiorentina though, they are going through a difficult spell and will want to put in a performance in front of their fans.”

Have you learned the lessons from Thursday?

“I have no doubt the issue from Thursday was subconscious, none of us went out there to play poorly. I’m confident it won’t happen again. The coach, the staff but especially us players are all going to make sure of that.

"You can make a mistake, you can choose the wrong pass … but the attitude is something you can’t get wrong. Everyone can see the difference between Thursday’s game and the one tonight.”

You are making the most of the freedom the coach gives you…

“The coach allows me to roam and asks me to try and find the spaces. I always try to look around me to understand the space better, to work out where I can wait for the ball and use it well. When I see a space I try to use it and position myself to look forward. That’s important – if you are not looking forward then you can only move the ball sideways.

"I’m really happy, this role feels like mine. I like to help my teammates and I like to enjoy myself – so when I receive the ball facing forwards it’s great.”