Zeman slams ´confused´ Roma

Roma coach Zdenek Zeman has criticised the mentality of his players after their 1-0 loss to Catania on Sunday.

The loss followed the 4-1 mauling at the hands of Napoli last time out and saw Roma slip to sixth in the Serie A.

Speaking to reporters, Zeman said his side should have won a match they controlled for large periods, with Alejandro Gomez’s 62nd-minute goal the difference.

“It was a game we should’ve finished off in the first half and apart from Catania’s goal, we basically controlled the second too,” he told reporters.

“We were a little chaotic and confused. We were unable to finish off scoring opportunities and Catania punished us. We need more belief and more desire to win.”

Zeman singled out Mattia Destro for wasting several good chances, and explained his decision to bench Daniele De Rossi.

He said Panagiotis Tachtsidis was preferred to De Rossi due to his creativity and Zeman was pleased with the Greek midfielder’s performance.

“Destro creates several chances, but for now is getting them wrong,” he said.

“As for De Rossi, my choices depend on the individual match. Today I chose Tachtsidis to create something more and I think he performed his role fairly well.”

The 65-year-old also said he hoped Francesco Totti, who pulled out of the match during the warm-up, would be fit for Wednesday’s Coppa Italia clash with Fiorentina.

“I hope Totti can already be back on Wednesday in the Coppa Italia. We are Roma and we must try to win in every arena,” Zeman said.