Roma coach Paulo Fonseca said advancing to the Europa League semi-final made the Giallorossi ‘focus less on Serie A’.

The Giallorossi sit seventh in the League with three games remaining and Fonseca was asked if his men had focused more on their run in the Europa League in 2021.

Roma coach Paulo Fonseca said advancing to the Europa League semi-final made the Giallorossi ‘focus less on Serie A’.

The Giallorossi sit seventh in the League with three games remaining and Fonseca was asked if his men had focused more on their run in the Europa League in 2021.

“The evaluation is made after the season, as I have always said,” Fonseca said at a press conference. “I think it wasn’t voluntary. The truth is that getting into a semi-final in Europe is important and the lads have unconsciously focused less on the championship.”

Inter have picked up their first Scudetto in 11 years and face Roma as newly crowned champions of Italy.

“Inter are a great team,” Fonseca added. “I have to congratulate them on the title.

“Now, they have no pressure and can be dangerous given the quality of their players.

“At all times we have seen a strong team and it will be strong tomorrow too.”

Fonseca confirmed he will recover some players from injuries ahead of the match against the Nerazzurri.

“Tomorrow, we will have [Stephan] El Shaarawy, Carles Perez and [Gonzalo] Villar available.”

Real Madrid loanee Borja Mayoral has scored 10 times in 29 Serie A games and has been preferred over Edin Dzeko since the falling out with the Bosnia international.

Fonseca said he couldn’t guarantee anything for the Spanish striker when Jose Mourinho arrives ahead of next season.

“I will not be the coach next season,” Fonseca added. “Borja is a young lad and it’s not easy for a striker to arrive here and score many goals.

“He’s having a good season, but it’s a decision for the club and the new coach.”

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