Fonseca: 'Football not always fair'

By Football Italia staff

Roma coach Paulo Fonseca feels they were “in control” of both games against Borussia Monchengladbach, “but football isn’t always fair.”

The Giallorossi thought they had earned at least a valuable point away to the Bundesliga leaders when Federico Fazio bizarrely cancelled out his own goal, but deep into stoppages Marcus Thuram’s header proved decisive.

Considering Gladbach only picked up a draw at the Olimpico thanks to a stoppage-time non-existent penalty for handball when it struck Chris Smalling in the face, Roma fumbled four points against the Germans after the 90th minute.

There was controversy here too, because the ball had gone a good 30-40cm over the touchline in the build-up to the opening Gladbach goal, but again, there is no VAR in the Europa League.

“We had difficulty in the first half and neither side had many chances. It opened up after the break, we had four or five really clear scoring opportunities,” Fonseca told Sky Sport Italia.

“It’s true that Borussia never really controlled the game, we had a lot of possession and both results over the two legs were unfair. We deserved far more, but football is like that, it’s not always fair.

“There were situations where we could’ve done better, five or six, while Borussia had two or three of their own, but we played better in that second half.

“We have to focus now on winning the remaining two games and getting through. We cannot think any other way.”

The group is now extremely tight, as Istanbul Basaksehir have seven points, Roma and Gladbach five, with Wolfsberg on four.

The Giallorossi’s next game is a trip to Istanbul on November 28, but they conclude at home to Wolfsberg, whereas the Turks end their group stage at Borussia-Park.

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