Petrachi: I'm convinced we'll come through this stronger

Roma sporting director Gianluca Petrachi called for patience and perspective on Wednesday, as the squad face their first sustained test of character this season.

After a strong opening to the season that included eye-catching victories over AC Milan and Napoli - even as injuries piled up - the Giallorossi have now only won once in the league so far in 2020 – with successive defeats against Sassuolo and Bologna leaving Paulo Fonseca’s side three points adrift of Atalanta in the race for the top four in Serie A.

Roma travel to face the Bergamo side in an important game in the race for Champions League qualification on Saturday – knowing they need to turn around their recent slump as soon as possible.

Speaking at Trigoria on Wednesday afternoon during a press conference to unveil the club’s three January signings, Petrachi pointed out that he had always been clear this first year under his leadership would have its ups and downs – but insisted the group has what it takes to come through this rough spell and show what it is capable of.

“During my opening press conference here I said that this year would be ‘Year Zero’ for Roma,” Petrachi said.

“With great humility and enthusiasm I came here to do my part, and I think during these six months a lot of great work has been done. I am taking that conviction and confidence that the club have shown in me, and am trying to change the things that did not work last season.

“Roma has undergone a true revolution. I would like to remind everyone that Roma sold 20 players in the summer and bought 14. I want to remind you that Roma did not spend €70m on one player - with €70m we bought seven players.

“With a project like this I asked for patience and understanding from everyone. And when there are revolutions some changes go smoothly, and others less so.

“I believe, if there is some good faith and honesty here among us all, that it was just 20 days ago that people were writing about an impressive Roma side, with a coach that had won everyone over and a team playing the best football in Italy.

“I will continue on my path, doing everything I can for Roma with an eagerness and determination to try and bring through my ideas about football, looking to achieve and implement all the things I have been asked to do. I don’t know whether I will be able to do that, but I will try everything I can."

The sporting director reflected on the changing attitude towards the club, after a number of difficult defeats in recent weeks.

“I’m aware that we are in a difficult spell, where perhaps we’ve lost a bit of morale,” Petrachi said.

“Maybe the great display in the derby made us get a bit ahead of ourselves. This side, if it plays with intensity, desire and hunger, has already shown in a lot of games this season that it can compete with anyone. But if you don’t play with this determination then it is tough.

“It’s clear that Fonseca’s style is built on aggression, on winning the ball back – and if everyone plays the roles they are supposed to in attack and while pressing, then things can go as they did against Lazio – who played their worst game of the season against us, because we made it impossible for them.

“But we got it wrong against Sampdoria, against Torino, against Sassuolo, and against Bologna. We have to reflect on that, and we are aware of that: me, the coach, the players. We need to do better, I believe we can do a lot more than we are doing right now – if we have hunger and humility.”

He added: “We’ve built something here; we’ve invested in young players, but the rewards of that will take a while to show. This side plays with six new signings out of 11 every Sunday, unlike any other side in Italy. That is evidence that it will take time, with a young squad and players that are still getting to know each other.

“I hoped that this tough spell would not come, but it has. Now we need to face it with the humility and fighting spirit that marks us out.”

The sporting director noted that adversity has already been a key characteristic of the side’s season – with a flurry of injuries in the early months of the campaign ending up showing the spirit and determination of the group.

Petrachi hopes that spirit will show itself once again, starting with this weekend’s undeniably important fixture.

“Maybe the best of Roma comes out when there are more obstacles and absences,” he noted.

“I am sure that this group, which I was proud to identify myself with before Christmas, will show my same passion, my same character now. I will do my best to make sure all the players understand how important it is to show the passion and desire that the fans want to see.

“I have great belief in this side. As I said six months ago, I’m just asking for a little bit of patience - but I believe this squad has its value. We have a lot of young players, and young players go through their highs and lows but that is the strategy in place. I have not bought players for €70m, but I have tried to build something that in a three-year span will achieve big results.”

He added: “We are not light years away from the Champions League places. We are three points back, on Sunday we have a big game, a game we have to face like it’s a final. We need to put in a great performance. We have to show all the fighting spirit that I’ve seen in the players’ eyes so far.

“I am convinced we’ll come through this, even stronger than we were before.”