Paulo Fonseca paid tribute to Hellas Verona, admitting he changed the Roma tactical approach because their usual passing style “wasn’t possible.”
The Giallorossi were tired after playing in the Europa League on Thursday, a 3-0 win away to Istanbul Basaksehir, but still fought hard to the end for a 3-1 result at the Bentegodi.
Paulo Fonseca paid tribute to Hellas Verona, admitting he changed the Roma tactical approach because their usual passing style “wasn’t possible.”
The Giallorossi were tired after playing in the Europa League on Thursday, a 3-0 win away to Istanbul Basaksehir, but still fought hard to the end for a 3-1 result at the Bentegodi.
Justin Kluivert’s opener was cancelled out by Marco Davide Faraoni, but a Diego Perotti penalty and last-gasp Henrikh Mkhitaryan tap-in secured the points.
“It’s a victory down to the great attitude and spirit of the team,” Fonseca told Sky Sport Italia.
“We were playing against a very tough opponent, as Verona defend well, are very aggressive, and we didn’t play our usual attractive football today, but in this fixture the approach was far too important.
“The team has improved a great deal in the balance between defence and attack. It’s true that when we feel solid defensively, the forwards have more confidence to go forward and take risks.”
Fonseca has always said he wants to dominate possession and take the game to the opposition, but he seems to have adapted quickly to Serie A tactics, especially in the second half at the Bentegodi.
“We want to dominate and I love when the team plays in the opposition half. At times, that is not possible. With the characteristics of Hellas Verona, that wasn’t going to work, so we prepared instead to make vertical passes and attack the space instead.
“We know Lorenzo Pellegrini has immense quality. He always makes the right decision, which is why he has so many assists this season.”