Roma manager Paulo Fonseca addressed the media today ahead of his side’s first Derby showdown tomorrow against arch rivals Lazio.
The Giallorossi were held to draws in both Derby clashes that the Portuguese tactician has overseen as they aim to get back to winning ways after drawing 2-2 against Inter this past Sunday.
“We all know this match is important, but we’re only playing for three points and this this is why we want to win, for the points,” explained Fonseca.
Revisiting last weekend’s draw against Antonio Conte’s men, Fonseca rejected the notion that his side suffered due to physicality issues in the clash.
“If it was a physicality problem, we wouldn’t have been able to play with the intensity that we displayed in the final half hour. The best teams in the world find it difficult to maintain this level for 90 minutes, so I don’t think it anything to do with intensity or physicality.”
The Roma boss was then asked about compatriot Tiago Pinto, the club’s new General Director, after he was unveiled to the media yesterday and discussed his outlook and long-term vision.
“I saw Tiago’s press conference, where he mentioned a medium to long term project. However, I also heard him talk about ambition. This is important for me: we must always have the ambition to win every single match.”
He continued, “We must take things one game at a time with the ambition to win them all.”
As for the team that he’ll put out on the pitch tomorrow, Fonseca refused to reveal who will start the match, but he did reveal that Spanish forward, Pedro, will return to the fold after recovering from injury, “He’s fine and will be called-up tomorrow.
At the conclusion of his press conference, the 47 year-old was frank about the one thing his side cannot be lacking tomorrow against their rivals, “Aggression.”
