Roma Primavera come back from two goals down to earn a point against Genoa; Scala says the team never gives up

Roma's Primavera side came from two goals down to salvage at least a point against Genoa at the Tre Fontane, a result coach Scala said should give the young squad confidence. Scala, head coach of the Roma Primavera side, wanted to highlight the group's spirit, choosing to focus on the positives after a very intense match. The match was one of two faces, with Roma once again falling behind before showing the ability to turn the game around.

Scala gave his assessment to the club's official channels. He said: "We started well and could have gone ahead in the first few minutes on two occasions. Then came an ingenuity from a set piece, not only in the action that led to their goal, where we were too passive, but also in the request for a medical check, which was not necessary. The team certainly has in its DNA the ability to come back into games and never give up. But we must not need to go behind before we bring the right competitive fire that allows us to recover. We also need to get back to taking the lead and managing the result."

Asked how the team can grow in this area, Scala said: "We have to keep working on the mental side and have a little patience. Today we were facing a side with five 2007-born players and one 2006, while we had many 2009s whom we are gradually bringing in, and the lack of a certain experience at these levels is paid for. It is part of our journey, we have said it from day one, and we take what comes."

Roma had a large number of absentees, with injured, called-up and suspended players. Asked whether next week will allow better preparation, Scala said: "The prospect is of a better week to work, and that is positive. There are never any excuses of any kind. The absences put us in a position to give other young players a chance and showcase them, so they are an opportunity. Some of those who had played little at the start, in my opinion, did very well today, such as Ballarin or Giammattei, who came on and changed the match for us. The squad is long, we wear an important shirt, and we must prove in every match that we are stronger than the opponent."

On the mood in the dressing room, Scala said: "The atmosphere at half-time was boiling, because I made myself heard, and quite a lot. I think the boys have understood that they must give more, because we have a great responsibility. They are certainly disappointed, not so much by how the first half went, but at finding themselves behind and not taking home the three points we probably deserved."

Scala also acknowledged the team's attacking output: "We are collecting little compared with what we produce. It happens often. Today we hit a crossbar and a post, and their goalkeeper made a couple of important saves. We are building a lot, and this happens because in the few days we can work together we get to pass on certain concepts that are starting to show. However, we must avoid always going behind and then being forced to come back into matches."