Paulo Fonseca admits Roma lost the Derby della Capitale in the first 25 minutes. ‘It’s difficult to recover if you gift them two goals.’
It was one-way traffic at the Stadio Olimpico this evening, as Roger Ibanez was caught in possession twice in the opening 23 minutes for Ciro Immobile and Luis Alberto goals.
“I think in the opening minutes, we had the right approach, but against a side like Lazio, it’s difficult to recover if you gift them two goals,” Fonseca told Sky Sport Italia after a 3-0 defeat.
“Lazio were comfortable after that and we never had the capability to break through their defensive line. They closed up well and it was tough to get back into it.”
Lazzari dominated down the flank against Ibanez, also effectively neutralising Leonardo Spinazzola, who did not help Ibanez when tracking back.
“We are talking about this because the two goals happened with Ibanez, but the situations weren’t dangerous. They should’ve been in control.
“It’s true Lazzari had a very good game, we didn’t have the solution for those moments. I think the whole game can be summed up by the fact we conceded two goals in the first half that we should not be conceding.
“Ibanez shouldn’t have needed help on the first goal, nor really in the second. There shouldn’t have to be back-up in those situations.”
The Giallorossi never mounted any kind of response and Luis Alberto completed his brace in the second half, with Edin Dzeko forcing the only genuine save from Pepe Reina at the 85th minute.
“Lazio close up very well in defence, we passed the ball around without finding a way through. Lazio also deserve credit for that, as they blocked off all the spaces. It was our intention to attack, but we couldn’t find a breakthrough.
“We know Lazio are very strong on the counter, so we have to leave someone back and prepare for the moment when we lose the ball.”