Luciano Spalletti “got the answers I was looking for” after a reshuffled Roma earned a Europa League stalemate with Astra Giurgiu.
The 0-0 draw enabled both these teams to qualify, but Astra had to thank 10-man Viktoria Plzen for fighting back from 2-0 down to beat Austria Vienna 3-2.
“It was a difficult match on a difficult pitch,” the Coach told Roma TV in Bucharest.
Luciano Spalletti “got the answers I was looking for” after a reshuffled Roma earned a Europa League stalemate with Astra Giurgiu.
The 0-0 draw enabled both these teams to qualify, but Astra had to thank 10-man Viktoria Plzen for fighting back from 2-0 down to beat Austria Vienna 3-2.
“It was a difficult match on a difficult pitch,” the Coach told Roma TV in Bucharest.
“They clammed up on the edge of their area and it was difficult to surprise them, but we tried. We gave some playing time to those who needed it, such as Stephan El Shaarawy, while Gerson had a good game and commanded the play pretty well.
“We tried to push up one of the full-backs and change the defence, maintaining balance. I got the answers I was looking for.”
Roma won their group and went unbeaten in six European matches for the first time since March 2008.
“We know there are good teams in the Europa League draw, so we need to offer a level of football fitting for Roma. When we face stronger sides, we must prove ourselves at their level. When we take on so-called inferior opponents, we have to avoid losing concentration.”
The Giallorossi host Milan in Serie A on Monday evening, then visit leaders Juventus.
“Milan know how to play good football and we’ve done some positive things too… I think we can see a pretty spectacular game, considering what these teams have achieved and where they are in the table.”