Interviewed by Roma’s official channels, the former defender Marco Motta he spoke about Ranieri’s team: “I always follow Roma with great affection, even from afar. I saw a compact Roma, with an excellent spirit. It was a good match, drawn well at the end and with many chances, I think it’s a important new starting point.
A delicate match against Tottenham from a psychological point of view? Yes, I think that the psychological factor is very important both in life and in sport. Roma have gone through a troubled period since the start of the season and their heads are playing tricks on them. I saw a compact team, where the indications of my coach, Mister Ranieri, began to be seen. I think it’s the right restart, before tactical and physical values I think it’s important to regroup the environment and make the head stronger. I think that coming out of the match against Tottenham with a draw is certainly important, also given the opportunities that there were. I think this is an important factor to start from.”
I always thought this but realized it late in my career. Football belongs to the fans: without them it wouldn’t be the same. The Rome environment is something unique not only in Italy. They are an extraordinary fan and this episode is the emblem of that. We had to play against Sampdoria away and before leaving, seeing all these people in Trigoria supporting and encouraging us means that they appreciated the great effort we put into trying to achieve something great, going beyond the result. That year the Champions League final was played in Rome and that was one of our goals. I repeat, it is something extraordinary that I wish every footballer can experience.”