Paulo Fonseca recognises Roma had ‘more shots, corners, possession and passing, but Juventus scored the goals’ and he does not regret dropping Edin Dzeko.
Cristiano Ronaldo and a Roger Ibanez own goal proved the difference in Turin for a 2-0 result.
“We did well for most of the game and mustn’t forget we were up against Juve. They defended well, the numbers are numbers, but the team that scored the goals ended up winning.
Paulo Fonseca recognises Roma had ‘more shots, corners, possession and passing, but Juventus scored the goals’ and he does not regret dropping Edin Dzeko.
Cristiano Ronaldo and a Roger Ibanez own goal proved the difference in Turin for a 2-0 result.
“We did well for most of the game and mustn’t forget we were up against Juve. They defended well, the numbers are numbers, but the team that scored the goals ended up winning.
“If you look at the statistics, we had more shots, more corners, more possession, more passing, but Juventus scored the goals,” Fonseca told Sky Sport Italia.
Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring against the run of play with a solo strike from the edge of the box, controlling the ball with his right foot and firing in with his left.
“This is why Ronaldo is the best in the world, because he can score goals like that out of nowhere. We didn’t make a mistake on that goal: it’s just Ronaldo.
“I want to evaluate the team performance. We showed the courage to come here and play our football, forcing Juve to defend in numbers in front of their penalty area.
“The team did really well, we just made the wrong choices in the final third. I did not expect Juve to sit so deep and I don’t think they did either. I believe we forced them back.”
Dzeko made his comeback off the bench for the final 20 minutes, the first appearance since the row with Fonseca, but the coach refused to say he’d start the Bosnian if he had the opportunity to play again.
“Dzeko was ready to play, but he did not start because it was my choice. Borja Mayoral worked very well for the team today, that was my decision and I’d make it again.
“We got into their final third so many times, but the final ball was always wrong. We had so many half-chances and made mistakes.
“There are no moral victories in football, but I am proud of the players, they showed great courage and character here and that gives me faith for the future.”