Eusebio Di Francesco insists Roma have “had a great Champions League journey and don’t want to stop now. We want to believe in this comeback” with Liverpool.
The Giallorossi lost the first leg of the semi-final 5-2 at Anfield, meaning they need a 3-0 win at home to qualify.
That’s the same situation they found themselves in during the quarter-finals and overturned Barcelona, who were tonight crowned Liga champions.
Eusebio Di Francesco insists Roma have “had a great Champions League journey and don’t want to stop now. We want to believe in this comeback” with Liverpool.
The Giallorossi lost the first leg of the semi-final 5-2 at Anfield, meaning they need a 3-0 win at home to qualify.
That’s the same situation they found themselves in during the quarter-finals and overturned Barcelona, who were tonight crowned Liga champions.
“We’ve done something extraordinary in the Champions League this season,” the Coach said on Rai television show Che Tempo Che Fa.
“I also came here to launch a message: this team has had a great journey and we don’t want to stop now. We want to believe in this comeback, because that is my attitude to life.
“I am an optimist by nature, football is joy and it must be lived as such. What pushes me on is passion and giving joy to people. I like to leave the celebrating to others at the final whistle, because that’s part of the job.”
This message clearly didn’t reach two ultras in Liverpool, as they are under arrest for an attack that left 53-year-old supporter Sean Cox in an induced coma.
“I am against all forms of violence. Sadly, a minority of our fans who have nothing to do with football or with us are ruining the image of an extraordinary fanbase that has always cheered us on and will continue to do so on Wednesday.”
Di Francesco was always destined for a life in football, as his rather unusual name was in honour of the Portuguese striker of the 1960s.
“My father loved Eusebio, so he went to register my name and chose that, with Luca as my middle name.”
His footballing father was Zdenek Zeman, although EDF has adapted the all-attack 4-3-3 approach to something more effective.
“Zeman has this great culture of hard work. At times he was excessive with the physical training, but his calm demeanour and dry wit always made me laugh.”