Zeman retains Champions League hopes

Roma coach Zdenek Zeman believes his side can still achieve Champions League qualification this season.

Zemen’s side trail third-placed Lazio by nine points, but the 65-year-old says his team are capable of bridging that gap.

“We take it one game at a time,” Zeman told reporters.

“This weekend we have closed up the gap from Lazio by a point and there are another 16 rounds to go.

“We’ve got to push for third place, which is still possible, though of course we must improve.”

The former Pescara coach was left to rue costly errors in Roma’s 3-3 thriller with Bologna at the weekend, claiming his team’s lack of concentration contributed to the result.

“We woke up too late, as we perhaps thought it was an afternoon kick-off,” he said.

“There were many mistakes, but also willingness to do well and get a result. We were caught up twice and then overtaken, but we recovered a point.

“There were errors when evaluating the situations in defence and you concede with errors like that. Our defence conceded three, but so did Bologna.”

Zeman also responded angrily when asked if he would see out the remainder of the season, saying it would not be his choice if he left.

“That’s a stupid question,” he said. “Have you ever seen a coach who is sure? I am always at the disposal of the club.”