Fonseca: We reached our minimum target tonight

The Giallorossi came from two goals down to grab the draw at the Stadio Alberto Picco - and in the process clinch the point they needed to clinch seventh spot in Serie A and a place in next season's UEFA Europa Conference League.

Here's how the boss saw his final game in charge.

The target was achieved, but not without a lot of suffering…

“Yes. In the first half we didn’t have any aggressive defensively, the team was so passive and we were in trouble. In the second half we changed our attitude and our aggression, we scored two goals and we reached our minimum target.”

This game felt like the season in a microcosm: highs and lows throughout.

“Yes, the team had the same problem we’ve seen before. It’s hard to understand how certain things happen but I think that during the break the players at least realised that, above all, the attitude needed to change – and the aggression and the speed with which they moved the ball needed to change too. This team could have achieved more.”

How do you explain this lack of focus in important games?

“It’s not easy to explain. We came here with the conviction that we needed to win this game. We prepared for it well, so it’s hard to really explain the way we played in the first half of the game. The players reacted after having suffered, just as has happened in so many games. But when you suffer, when you go behind, it’s hard to change the scoreline. For me, above all it is a mental issue – which needs to change.”

Why can’t this team find a way to produce for 90 minutes?

“As I’ve already said, it’s hard to explain. We’ve worked on this subject a lot. Before the game, I talked to the players about the importance of this game for Roma, for the players that will stay, but nevertheless the attitude in the first half wasn’t right. We thought that, with safety already assured, Spezia wouldn’t come to win. But it wasn’t like that, in Italy every game is tough and you always need to be very focused.

“At half-time we spoke with the players and I explained that this attitude is not fitting of Roma. They understood that and they made the changes they needed to. But it has happened in other games too. It’s hard to explain this mental aspect.”