Tudor: ‘The midfield lacked sharpness, we were not dangerous in attack’

Igor Tudor explained his sides loss in the Derby della Capitale, saying the midfield lacked sharpness, while their attack wasn’t dangerous enough. The match was decided by a Gianluca Mancini goal at the end of the first half, and proved to be a fiery affair, with a number of players involved in scuffles after the full-time whistle.

Speaking with DAZN after the match, Tudor talked through the match as he saw it and where the team struggled most:

“We lacked something up front with the full-backs’ attacks, the midfielders lacked sharpness and were not dangerous enough in their attacks.” He acknowledged the complexity of the game, especially considering it was their third match in seven days with limited time for preparation since their arrival. However, he emphasized their commitment to improvement, stating, “We will work on it. Triple substitution at halftime? Immobile and Romagnoli had some issues, Isaksen was a tactical choice.”

Delving into tactical aspects, Tudor expressed the need to familiarize himself better with the team, both individually and as a unit. He highlighted areas for improvement in understanding the formation and physical preparedness, suggesting, “To raise the intensity level, we need to work for at least a month. Some players are still adjusting to their roles as they’ve been accustomed to over the past three years, and it takes time.”

Commenting on the challenges posed by their opponents and outlining future strategies, Tudor remarked, “It’s evident we struggle upfront, especially against Roma, where executing high pressing is tough. Without proper preparation, it’s challenging to press them high. We suffered physically; they had more stamina than us.” He emphasized the aim to enhance attacking prowess while maintaining defensive solidity, concluding, “I look forward to getting back on the field on Monday and resuming work to improve.”