Bortolo Mutti feels the Roma goal in the opening three minutes “from our mistake” had a big psychological impact on Palermo.
Ezequiel Munoz gave the ball away in the final third, leading to the Fabio Borini strike that decided this 1-0 result.
Bortolo Mutti feels the Roma goal in the opening three minutes “from our mistake” had a big psychological impact on Palermo.
Ezequiel Munoz gave the ball away in the final third, leading to the Fabio Borini strike that decided this 1-0 result.
“Unfortunately we conceded that goal straight away from our mistake and that immediately made it difficult for us on a psychological level,” said the Coach.
“We lost some of the certainties we had and that showed in the way we dealt with the ball. After the break I tried to change the attitude with Josip Ilicic and Abel Hernandez, who was coming back from a long injury.
“Roma couldn’t get a shot on goal after that and we went so close to equalising, but unfortunately that’s the way it went.”
Ilicic was left on the bench for the first half following criticism from fans and media for recent poor performances.
“Last season there were more clearly defined situations and he had fewer responsibilities on his shoulders. He still has to grow a great deal and learn to carry that load, not slipping out of the game, otherwise the whole team suffers.
“We were a little timid in midfield precisely because of that early goal. Instead of attacking the space, we had to take the initiative and too often tried to go for the long ball.
“Now we will try to get Matias Silvestre back from injury and then consider changing tactics, but the change has to be accepted by the whole group.”