Eusebio Di Francesco admits Roma “lost our shape” to allow Inter counter-attacks, but “we were great for 70 minutes and deserved to win.”
The Giallorossi had taken the lead through Edin Dzeko and rattled the woodwork three times, but Mauro Icardi’s brace and a Matias Vecino tap-in secured the 3-1 Inter victory.
Eusebio Di Francesco admits Roma “lost our shape” to allow Inter counter-attacks, but “we were great for 70 minutes and deserved to win.”
The Giallorossi had taken the lead through Edin Dzeko and rattled the woodwork three times, but Mauro Icardi’s brace and a Matias Vecino tap-in secured the 3-1 Inter victory.
“The ball hits the post and either goes in or out. It did with us three times. You need a bit of luck in this game and Inter had quite a lot of it tonight,” Di Francesco told Mediaset Premium.
“At the same time, we made naïve errors, especially on the equaliser, as that was the goal that changed everything. We created so many chances and didn’t convert them. Last week everyone complained we were too dull and didn’t create chances, this time they’ll complain we didn’t finish them off.
“Up until the 70th minute, we did well enough even with a centre-back having to play at right-back. What I didn’t like was that we lost our balance and shape after the equaliser, so we didn’t act like a big team at that point.
“The fact remains that for 70 minutes, Roma were not just good, but great. We were fantastic in every way, often pressed to win back possession in their half and cause all sorts of problems.
“We should’ve been more clinical and finish more of the chances that we managed to create. Inevitably with the lack of a genuine right-back, our moves were a little lopsided.
“It’s a pity about the result, because I know journalists will only look at that, but I have to examine the performance and in that case I saw definite steps forward. If there was one team that deserved to win and have a two-goal advantage, it was Roma and that’s all there is to it.”
There was a bizarre incident when it was still 1-0 to Roma, as Milan Skriniar appeared to trip Diego Perotti in the box, but VAR technology was not even examined.
“If you’re not going to give a penalty, then don’t give a corner. The absurd thing was awarding a corner. It’s a pity, because I am no longer the Coach of Sassuolo, I am at a big club like Roma, so I expected a little more concentration from referees.
“My players gave their all, but lost their balance in trying to win the game at all costs. If you don’t score a goal there, you risk losing it and Inter played on the counter.”