Fabio Capello has blamed mental and physical fragility for Roma's collapse in Manchester, where the Giallorossi dominated Manchester United in the first half only to fade completely after the break. Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the former Roma manager said the defeat at Old Trafford exposed the club's limits in terms of stamina and mental strength, while also stressing the good work the side has shown against Europe's biggest clubs.
Capello described a first half in which Roma were in control in every department: aggression, ball recovery, danger and vision. "In the first half Roma were masters of the game, dominant in everything: aggression, ball recovery, danger and vision. It seemed like an easy match, United had never been dangerous (…)" he said. He then asked whether Roma had believed the game was too easy and gone out too relaxed. "In the second half they did nothing, they didn't play, and never had a shot on goal. It looked like the shirts had been swapped, it's true."
Capello said United improved considerably after their substitutions, but above all found an aggression that is typical of Roma. "Roma aren't used to facing teams this aggressive, you don't find opponents like that in Italy. And on Tuesday Roma showed mental cracks, in attention and vigour." He also questioned whether Gasperini's players had spent too much in the first half, adding that the intensity of English football made the difference.
Asked whether Gasperini's style is simply too demanding, Capello was clear. "Absolutely, it is a very demanding style of football, but also very beautiful. Roma show exciting things, and that is an advantage for Italian football. But when you compare yourself with players who have certain characteristics, it has been seen that resisting for a long time is difficult. Concentration is extremely important (…)." He recalled a similar collapse against Real Madrid, but said that against Madrid the danger was clear: "if you give the Spaniards 15-20 minutes they punish you immediately." In Manchester, he felt, the impression was of general tiredness. "It was not the outstandingly good United, and perhaps that was also the moral key to the match."
On the squad, Capello said Roma's group is shorter than last year, but that Gasperini is well placed in Italy with this group. "In Europe you would probably need a higher level." He also pointed to injuries, saying the numbers speak clearly. "Five substitutions help with player recovery, but the fact is that now you play so much and at such close intervals that it becomes difficult to maintain consistency of performance (…)."
Capello acknowledged the regret. "There is disappointment, Roma came close to two wins they would have deserved to put in the trophy cabinet. And instead you end up with zero points (…). But these defeats are part of a process. (…) What Roma showed against Real and United cannot be erased. And they did not do it against a team of Scirocco, but against European powers."
