Andrea Belotti admits Roma are ‘struggling after a 3-1 defeat to Milan sent them down to ninth place, but can turn it around. ‘A team with this potential cannot be in this position.’
The Giallorossi had managed to get themselves back into the game after going 2-0 down to the Yacine Adli strike and Olivier Giroud header, as Leandro Paredes confidently converted a penalty.
However, Theo Hernandez completed a give and go with Giroud to smash the finish off the underside of the crossbar for the 3-1 scoreline at San Siro.
With Jose Mourinho suspended, Roma only sent substitute striker Belotti for media interviews.
“It is clear that we are struggling, because when you come off certain defeats, you cannot be happy or relaxed. We lost the derby and there is a great deal of frustration at the way that went,” Belotti told DAZN.
“I do think the team had a good approach and organisation tonight, but when doing quite well and going behind, that knocks the wind out of your sails.
“When we conceded the second, we raised the tempo and were open to taking more risks, then once we scored the penalty I genuinely felt like we would equalise. Unfortunately, the third put an end to that.”
The record against the big clubs this season is rather disappointing, beating only Napoli 2-0, then drawing with Lazio, Fiorentina and Atalanta, but losing to Milan twice, Inter and Juventus.
Already missing Paulo Dybala and Renato Sanches, Roma also saw Gianluca Mancini go off at half-time with an injury.
Both Mancini and Bryan Cristante were booked and will be suspended for the next Serie A match against Verona.
However, for the next few weeks Roma do have one only game to deal with at a time and that could help with the lack of squad rotation.
“We are seeing small details can make the difference in otherwise good performances. When you have six days to prepare a match, that makes a big difference, as often we barely get to train at all.
“Now we have some time to get sorted out physically and mentally, but also to try out some tactical movements on the training ground. We feel like we hit rock bottom right now, but it does mean the only way is up.”
Mourinho has often said that Roma are simply not the same team if they are missing key players like Dybala or Romelu Lukaku. Does that diminish the rest of the squad?
“I think we are a team that overall is strong, there is quality in all my teammates. Admittedly, we don’t have someone with Paulo’s characteristics and therefore have to change our way of playing, but few players in the world have his quality and creativity.
“We must do everything possible to get up the table, because a team with this potential cannot be in this position. Little distractions, moments, red cards can change a game and you struggle to turn it around. Things aren’t going our way at the moment, but we only need a spark to change that.”
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