The after-match press conference by Eusebio Di Francesco was by far the best we have seen from Roma last night. Just impeccable. He explained that his men were told to attack the Juve backline, pressing and squeezing them in their half, Strootman and De Rossi to tackle and prevent Miralem Pjanic from moving around in the middle of the park, Nainggolan to range around much closer to the Juve goal and try to fire shots at them, Perotti and El Sharaawy to fly on the wings and skittle around to assist Edin Dzeko in the middle of the penalty area. That was the game plan.
EDF was very swift to show his disappointment with Roma’s first half, he was very honest and clear about what he felt about it, that he has been working on the players’ mindset since appointed in the summer. Last night it was a big opportunity to show that this team have now developed a different approach and mentality in big games like this. He went on to remark that what he saw last night in the first half was just the opposite of his instructions he gave the team just before the match.
Alisson was by far man of the match. EDF was very annoyed at how the defence handled the Benatia goal incident, how the keeper made some incredible saves while the defense stayed completely still watching the Juve defender trying three times from the same spot until he was able to put it in the back of the net in total freedom. He voiced out that his wingers did not push on the wings, that Nainggolan never tried to get upfront, that the midfield was taken over by Pjanic and co. in absolute liberty, and of course, just went sarcastic at the biggest chances of all, as the night concluded with Schick unable to convert the most glorious opportunity, alone in front of Szczęsny in the very dying seconds. “He will score more important goals in the future”, his comment. EDF is definitely ready, now the team must follow.
Happy Christmas to all readers! Always Forza Roma!
Stefano @ASROMA.IE