KAA Gent coach Jess Thorup was “very proud” of his team and assured the 1-0 result “is only half-time” in the Europa League tie with Roma.
An early Carles Perez strike proved the difference at the Stadio Olimpico, although both teams wasted numerous chances, leaving the Europa League Round of 32 wide open going into the second leg.
KAA Gent coach Jess Thorup was “very proud” of his team and assured the 1-0 result “is only half-time” in the Europa League tie with Roma.
An early Carles Perez strike proved the difference at the Stadio Olimpico, although both teams wasted numerous chances, leaving the Europa League Round of 32 wide open going into the second leg.
“We had said it was an important game and at the final whistle I told my lads that I was very proud of them,” said the coach in his press conference.
“It’s a pity that we conceded that goal, as we paid a heavy price for a small mistake. The team never stopped believing and particularly in the first half we created good opportunities.
“Qualification is wide open, we are solid on home turf and the result leaves it all up for grabs going into the second leg. This is only half-time in the tie, we have worked out the level we are dealing with, understood we can play with a different approach and this will create doubts and uncertainty in the Roma camp.”
The Giallorossi are in crisis at the moment, managing one point from their last five competitive games.
“Our team is going through a great period of form, so it would’ve been important to score an away goal, but we lacked that little bit of quality in the final ball. I remain very proud of the performance.”