Rudi Garcia said Roma replied to “a lack of respect” from critics with their 3-0 hammering of Sampdoria.
Rudi Garcia said Roma replied to “a lack of respect” from critics with their 3-0 hammering of Sampdoria.
The Giallorossi swept Samp aside 3-0 at the Stadio Olimpico this evening to put the recent setbacks against Lazio” data-scaytid=”7″>Lazio and Napoli behind them.
“I think that after the Coppa Italia there was a lack of respect for my team,” he told Sky Sport Italia.
“Today we saw the response, as the truth is always on the pitch. We saw a great Roma side, who are second in Serie A, play incredible football, are four points ahead of Napoli with a game in hand.
“Tonight we proved that we are strong. You all know there was a lack of respect. People need to acknowledge what this team can do and say the truth. I have total faith in this team and I think I am right to do so.”
The game was played with the Curva Sud and Curva Nord closed after anti-Neapolitan chants broke ‘territorial discrimination’ rules.
“It was also a little strange to play in a stadium like this. There was nothing positive around the team beforehand, so I put forward this result, this performance, these three goals and an iron defence.
“When I say everything was negative around us, I include the fact we were playing against a Sampdoria side that plays good football and came out attacking us from the start.”
“We have the best defence in Italy, one of the best attacks, so it means the whole team works well when defending. We do not leave spaces for our opponents to shoot. Morgan De Sanctis had hardly anything to do tonight.
“I had asked the team to continue seeking results through good football. Perhaps in recent games we forgot to play it simple, keep possession and hold out under pressure, but today we saw more of that. I am very happy with the way Alessandro Romagnoli played coming off the bench.”
Mattia Destro bagged a brace this evening, while Miralem Pjanic fired in a free kick.
“Destro is a great striker. He is a very important player in my squad, has scored six goals this season and deserves compliments. We need everyone and hope Douglas Maicon’s injury is not serious.
“Now we have to rest and prepare for Bologna. This week we can sit back and watch the others play in Europe, which will be of great help for Roma to reach the Champions League.”