Fonseca: ‘Roma didn’t have the mental strength’

Lorenzo Pellegrini

and

Edin Dzeko

both were in target as the Giallorossi went into the dressing room 2-1 at half-time, but losing

Jordan Veretout

,

Pau Lopez

, and

Leonardo Spinazzola

to injury in the first 37 minutes proved costly for Fonseca’s side.

“It’s a heavy defeat, obviously. I think we had a good first half, but didn’t hold out in the second,”

Fonseca told

.

“We lost three players and had no more substitutions. Amadou Diawara and Chris Smalling were struggling, but I couldn’t replace them. It was a very difficult second half for us.

“It’s hard to explain how we did that first half and then came out for the second with no aggression, making a lot of mistakes, leaving spaces.

“When they scored the third goal, the team didn’t have the mental strength to get back on their feet. It’s difficult to play against a team like Manchester United anyway, let alone when we can’t make any substitutions.

Fonseca believes Roma had the right tactical approach to the Red Devils.

“I don’t believe it was a tactical problem. As we showed in the first half, we allowed Manchester practically no chances. Our choices were logical ones.

“We lost important players early on and then didn’t have the mental strength in the second half. I think that was the issue.”

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