Marco Borriello explains why he took a penalty against Vincenzo Montella's orders. “This faith was taken away without consulting me.”
The striker was already involved in a row with David Pizarro over who would convert against Lecce on Friday evening, but against Shakhtar Donetsk Borriello stepped up and saw his spot-kick saved.
“I wanted to score a goal for the team and for me,” said the former Milan hitman, acknowledging in both games that Pizarro was the designated penalty taker.
Marco Borriello explains why he took a penalty against Vincenzo Montella's orders. “This faith was taken away without consulting me.”
The striker was already involved in a row with David Pizarro over who would convert against Lecce on Friday evening, but against Shakhtar Donetsk Borriello stepped up and saw his spot-kick saved.
“I wanted to score a goal for the team and for me,” said the former Milan hitman, acknowledging in both games that Pizarro was the designated penalty taker.
“There are times when the ball goes in, like at the derby, and others when things go against you. At this moment I am paying for that, but I think I played a good game.”
Montella has changed quite a few things in the squad since replacing Claudio Ranieri and Borriello admitted to some tension behind the scenes.
“I took the responsibility in two derby games, then once the new Coach arrived this faith was taken away without consulting me.
“Obviously when Francesco Totti is playing, then he takes the penalties. I told Pizarro to leave it to me, as I haven't scored in a while and wanted to break that drought.
“I found out during the pre-match meeting that I would be playing. It's a pity about that penalty, as I wanted to repay the Coach's faith in me. I think I did that with my overall performance, as I never lost a physical duel tonight.
“I take responsibility for the penalty and perhaps it could've changed the game, but up until the red card Roma were fiery and dominated Shakhtar on their own turf.”
Borriello also hinted that the repeated fouls on Darijo Srna were no coincidence.
“If he was subjected to these challenges, then there is a reason you cannot know about. It's never right to hit a player on purpose, but he really went looking for trouble.”
Totti was left on the bench throughout the game and looked extremely ill-tempered as he left the locker room.
“There's nothing left to comment on,” were his only words to the waiting journalists.