Paulo Fonseca concedes Roma ‘were missing some individual initiative’ in their 0-0 draw with 10-man Benevento, but ‘it was difficult to do more.’
The Giallorossi had the opportunity to close on Milan in second, but instead they were held to a 0-0 draw by a Benevento side down to 10 men for 35 minutes.
Paulo Fonseca concedes Roma ‘were missing some individual initiative’ in their 0-0 draw with 10-man Benevento, but ‘it was difficult to do more.’
The Giallorossi had the opportunity to close on Milan in second, but instead they were held to a 0-0 draw by a Benevento side down to 10 men for 35 minutes.
There was late drama at the Stadio Vigorito, as Roma were awarded a penalty for a Daam Foulon tackle on Stephan El Shaarawy, but the decision was revoked via VAR because Lorenzo Pellegrini was offside in the build-up.
“It was a difficult match, Benevento closed up well and we reached the final third without any issues, but then didn’t have the individual initiative, we weren’t aggressive enough or clinical,” Fonseca told Sky Sport Italia.
“I do feel the players understood they need to be more concrete in their attacks. It’s true we were slow in the build-up and getting the ball to where we could have shots on goal.
“I don’t think it was a physical issue. We were missing some individual initiative, taking men on one-on-one, but also Benevento deserve credit for defending well.”
Fonseca was asked if Edin Dzeko, regardless of the disciplinary issues, was really second-choice to Borja Mayoral.
“Dzeko played in Braga, today it was Borja, this type of match is more difficult for strikers. We don’t have any first-choice players in any role in this team.
“We did move to a four-man defence when Dzeko came on, we introduced many attacking players, I think it was difficult to do more. We should learn to have more shots from distance as a solution, especially in games like this.”