Bocchetti: ‘Verona didn’t deserve to lose to Roma’

Hellas Verona coach Salvatore Bocchetti was predictably disappointed after Roma snatched all three points with two late goals.

The Gialloblu took the lead after just 27 minutes thank to Pawel Dawidowicz but soon faced difficulty when the Pole was sent off following a dangerous looking challenge on Nicolo Zaniolo. Roma found an equaliser just before half time thanks to the Italian, and late goals from Cristian Volpato and Stephan El Shaarawy secured all three points for Jose Mourinho’s side. 

Speaking in a press conference after the match, Bocchetti first reacted to Hellas Verona’s painful defeat.

“What can I say? We played a great match as long as we stayed in it, even against ten they were never dangerous. We didn’t deserve to lose, let alone if we stayed as eleven. Head up and work: the boys gave everything, it’s a pity for some ingenuity, but the boys put their hearts into it. 

“We have to continue like this, it’s a pity that everything is going wrong for us now, on Sunday we will have three disqualified players.”

He touched on how it felt to concede two late goals.

“I don’t believe in these things. Two moments damaged our game. But I am very happy and proud to be the coach of these guys, who always give their soul, in training and in the game. We have to improve in these moments and try to score some points.”

Finally, the 35-year-old Italian coach commented on the Dawidowicz sending off.

“I didn’t see it again and I don’t want to see it again. We have to think about ourselves, not the referee. We have to continue to work and grow, even on these things. 

“I have confidence in the boys and I have confidence in the work, to look ahead, to analyse the mistakes and to play a great game in Monza.”

It was a frustrating defeat for Hellas Verona, who still sit 19th in the Serie A table after 12 games. They’ll be desperate to secure all three points in next weekend’s away match against Monza.