Developing Roma disappoint Zeman

30 September 2012 00:38

Zdenek Zeman says his Roma team are still a work in progress after they suffered a 4-1 defeat at Juventus on Saturday.

Roma conceded three goals in quick succession during the first half in Turin, and although they clawed one back via a penalty in the second period, the coach acknowledged his players never quite managed to recover.

"Juventus were superior throughout," Zeman said.

"Roma are improving, but this game was terrible."

"We neither attacked nor defended effectively, and so were constantly under pressure. Tonight, I saw very little of what we do during training, although we are still a work in progress.

"Conceding three goals rapidly would have knocked any team out. Maybe they were so intimidating we forgot how to implement our ideas."

"I am happy to be at Roma and am sure we will express ourselves eventually. We will learn from games like these in due course.

"I hope the players realise they were too sluggish tonight, and didn't do enough."

Roma sit eighth in Serie A after two defeats, two draws and just two wins so far this term.

Juve goalkeeper coach Claudio Filippi, speaking in place of banned coach Antonio Conte, said on-loan striker Nicklas Bendtner must continue to wait for an opportunity after joining the club from Arsenal.

"Nicklas Bendtner will eventually have his chance," Filippi said.

"Juventus have a great group of strikers this season. Right now, we have several forwards that give us guarantees. They are rotated according to how they perform in training.

"We work hard during the week with (Antonio) Conte, so this victory belongs to him."

Despite the manner in which the Italian champions sent Zeman's side packing, Filippi is refusing to dismiss the Roma's title credentials.

"It's true we got off to a splended start, but we fought against a side who will nevertheless continue doing important things this season, continuously challenging for the top places," he said.

Juventus now turn their attention to the Champions League fixture against Shakhtar Donetsk, after earning a credible opening day draw against fellow Group E heavyweights, Chelsea.