Rudi Garcia: Roma have defeated a great team

Roma coach Rudi Garcia has said that his side’s win against Juventus is more than just progressing to the semi-final as they are a ‘great’ team.

The Giallorossi defeated the Bianconeri 1-0 at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome courtesy of Gervinho’s lone goal.

Speaking to Rai Sport after the game, Garcia said that the win came against a ‘great team’, while also praising their depth and quality by saying that the Bianconeri have two teams.

“Progressing to the semi-final means a lot more now,” he stated. “We have defeated a great team.

“They [Juventus] have shown that they have two teams, not one”.

Garcia then went to say that there was a change of approach during the game as well.

“We altered our approach,” he said. “We decided to hit Juventus on the counterattack”.

The Roma coach also took his time to praise substitute Miralem Pjanic, while also saying that his side must focus on their next game against Hellas Verona in Serie A.

“I like Pjanic’s performance a lot,” he said. “We planned everything”.

“We decided to battle for 70 minutes, and then put Pjanic on.

“We must be focused on the next game against Verona, though”.

Garcia also said that his side played the same way they did against Juventus in Turin, but were punished by three balls that originally not from open play.

“We played like the way we did in Turin,” he added. “However, in Turin we were punished by three stationary balls.

“Tonight we played really well, the fans will be proud of their players”.

Lastly, the former Lille coach dismissed rumours linking himself and Pjanic with a move away from the capital, while also saying that new signing Michel Bastos will have to work hard.

“Bastos? He’ll have to work hard,” he said. “He was greeted well by his teammates.

“Pjanic is a crucial player and will be a Roma player next season.

“As for me, I’m definitely staying, we’ll discuss the contract renewal later”.