Eusebio Di Francesco ‘would like the focus to be more on Roma’ as the Coach insists ‘I’m not playing’ Porto in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Roma lead Porto 2-1 from the first leg of their last-16 tie, but the Portuguese side have an away goal and Di Francesco is widely expected to lose his job if the Giallorossi crash out of the competition.
“Conceicao is right to say it’s a long game,” he said at a Press conference.
Eusebio Di Francesco ‘would like the focus to be more on Roma’ as the Coach insists ‘I’m not playing’ Porto in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Roma lead Porto 2-1 from the first leg of their last-16 tie, but the Portuguese side have an away goal and Di Francesco is widely expected to lose his job if the Giallorossi crash out of the competition.
“Conceicao is right to say it’s a long game,” he said at a Press conference.
“There is only one goal difference and his team should be patient. As far as we are concerned, we need to protect the one-goal advantage and go on the counter, which is fundamental. Defending stoutly will be the key and everyone else will follow.
“The lads know anything is possible and they must be ready to play from one moment to the next, because they don’t know my line-up and we haven’t talked about it.
“I want to decide at the end, to look in the eyes of my players and see who convinces me they are ready for this battle.
“I think it’s always been a difficult moment for one reason or another since I’ve been on the Roma bench.
“I’d like the focus to be more on Roma and not on their Coach, because the fans care about the club colours, not who represents them.
“I am not playing tomorrow, it’s not my game and it is in everyone’s interests that Roma win.
“Obviously, the derby affected the general mood and self-confidence, but we’ve got to remember the approach we had in the Champions League last season.”
Di Francesco also hinted at changes from the side that lost to Lazio in the Derby della Capitale last weekend.
“It’s possible some who played in the derby won’t play here, but that’s not necessarily dropping or dumping them,” he added.
“I have to make choices based on many elements, including the opponents. The idea is to start with the 4-3-3. We’ll evaluate before the game, but for now that is the plan.”