Tiago Pinto confirms Roma need January reinforcements in defence and keeps Jose Mourinho questions at bay, but warns the Europa League play-offs ‘will be difficult for anyone we face.’
The final group game with Sheriff Tiraspol kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 20.00 GMT.
The injury crisis problems are evident this evening in the fact that Zeki Celik and Bryan Cristante are moved to central defence, while Evan Ndicka will be out for circa a month in January when playing in the Africa Cup of Nations.
“It is clear that we are struggling in that area. Chris Smalling had this injury, we’ll see when he is back, there is no date yet as it is a delicate situation. Marash Kumbulla is training with the squad, but still not in contact with anyone,” Tiago Pinto told Sky Sport Italia.
“With Ndicka going to the Africa Cup of Nations, obviously that is going to be a problem. We need to do something on the market, we all agree on that, but we also have Financial Fair Play perimeters that we have to stay within.
“There are today two players out of position, but this is modern football, they have to be more versatile and know what to do in more than one role.”
There are reports that Mourinho will meet with the Roma owners towards the end of December or start of January.
“As far as I am concerned, they can even spend New Year’s together! As we said, we never talk publicly about this, it is something we discuss internally within the club.”
Mourinho only said in his press conference yesterday that he has ‘very clear’ ideas on what to do next. So Tiago Pinto effectively just mirrored his coach.
“Everything is very clear in my mind too!”
In order to finish top this evening, Roma need to win and hope Slavia Prague lose to Servette, or get a victory by over four clear goals as long as Slavia fail to win.
The play-offs are therefore looming against one of the teams that drops down from the Champions League, which could include Tiago Pinto’s former club Benfica.
“Obviously, it will be difficult to take top spot. I won’t lie, I would prefer not to play Benfica, but if we did, I would want us to win.
“We went through this last season with Bayer Leverkusen, Red Bull Salzburg and Real Sociedad, all of whom are doing very well this term. So it will be difficult for us, but difficult for anyone we face too.”