Eusebio Di Francesco said Atalanta deserve credit for fighting back from 3-0 down, but Roma “mental deficiencies are still very much there.”
The Giallorossi seemed to be comfortable in Bergamo, leading 3-0 when Timothy Castagne got a header back on the stroke of half-time.
Despite Duvan Zapata missing a penalty, Atalanta still completed the comeback for 3-3.
Eusebio Di Francesco said Atalanta deserve credit for fighting back from 3-0 down, but Roma “mental deficiencies are still very much there.”
The Giallorossi seemed to be comfortable in Bergamo, leading 3-0 when Timothy Castagne got a header back on the stroke of half-time.
Despite Duvan Zapata missing a penalty, Atalanta still completed the comeback for 3-3.
“The team made the right choices and took the correct approach in the first half, realising Atalanta would attack in numbers and leave gaps,” the Coach told Sky Sport Italia.
“The only problem is this isn’t the first time it has happened to us. It’s absurd to see a team with the same players put in such a different performance from one half to the next.
“Evidently the mental deficiencies of this team are still very much there and we have a lot of psychological work to do. You cannot throw away a 3-0 lead like this and if anything we were fortunate we got a draw.
“This team showed it is capable of keeping the tempo up, choosing the right timing and passing the ball behind their defence. When you can’t keep the ball and keep giving it away, as we did in the second half, Atalanta can kill you. And they did.
“All credit to Atalanta, but also all the blame to us for losing a 3-0 lead. What drives me crazy is the lack of consistency from this team, even during the same match.”
Di Francesco was shouting angrily at Justin Kluivert during the closing stages.
“I need more from players like Kluivert, which is to defend when he needs to, but also to actually do damage when he’s got the ball going forward.”