Luciano Spalletti took “responsibility” for Roma’s home defeat to Villarreal, as a complacent side qualified for the Europa League Round of 16.
The Giallorossi knew their place in the next phase was practically secure after a 4-0 first leg victory away from home and it really showed at the Stadio Olimpico.
Luciano Spalletti took “responsibility” for Roma’s home defeat to Villarreal, as a complacent side qualified for the Europa League Round of 16.
The Giallorossi knew their place in the next phase was practically secure after a 4-0 first leg victory away from home and it really showed at the Stadio Olimpico.
“The approach was wrong, partly due to my choices, as those who could run harder found themselves pegged back on the defensive line, leaving Daniele De Rossi, Leandro Paredes and Francesco Totti pressing in the middle – we never got the ball,” Spalletti told Sky Sport Italia.
“I wanted to use those who hadn’t played as much and created a few problems. I take responsibility and when you are in this job, you have to take the blame.”
The Villarreal goal was a gift from Thomas Vermaelen, whose terrible touch was effectively an assist to Borre.
“I probably put him under too much pressure, as Villarreal do well when they take the ball between the lines. Vermaelen got his touch wrong, but these things can happen. It could’ve not happened, but I have to think about what I can do better. I probably didn’t work well enough on his mentality.
“I tried to rotate the squad with logic, but we should’ve done better in this game. I tried to make the fans happy and it didn’t work. The squad still had a lot of quality, even with the changes.
“My tactical decision to work with three at the back was wrong and it seemed more and more wrong as time wore on. It’s only right that I take responsibility, as tonight I was not competent enough in my choices.
“We need to command the play, run, be aggressive, but if you ask the team to play in a way that doesn’t allow them to control the game…
“We saw more after the break, moved Diego Perotti behind Totti, while Bruno Peres was pushed up and Antonio Rudiger became the right-back.
“Let’s not forget that Villarreal did knock Napoli out last season and our first leg result was exceptional. People used that to act as if Villarreal were a bad team, but that’s not the case.
“We want to go forward in the competition and have what it takes to get through the next rounds too.”
Spalletti was told of the news that Leicester City have fired Claudio Ranieri just nine months after he won the Premier League title.
“It’s very sad. Evidently there is no gratitude in this sport… not even a tiny bit. He deserved so much credit for that team and made them go beyond their limitations.
“Seeing as he is a Roma fan and from Roma, he’s more than welcome to come and visit us. We’d be glad to see him.”