Roma director Gianluca Petrachi praised Paulo Fonseca for helping to “rediscover” Javier Pastore ahead of today’s trip to Parma.
It kicks off at 17.00 GMT, click here for the line-ups and LIVEBLOG.
They need a victory to recapture third place after Lazio and Cagliari victories, but are tired after Thursday’s contentious Europa League defeat to Borussia Monchengladbach.
“We had played very well, especially the second half, and unfortunately that late goal was very damaging and left a bitter feeling in the mouth,” the director of sport told Sky Sport Italia.
“It taught us we still need to give a little bit more right to the final whistle.”
Pastore has been a revelation this season, finally playing regularly and performing to a high level for long periods.
“A lot of credit goes to Fonseca for the way he has been working with him, as there have been a lot of separate training sessions, personalised schedules.
“When he asked us to remain, we said fine, but he needed to give more and earn his place by putting in more consistent performances worthy of his salary. I think it worked and Pastore is a rediscovered player.”
Fonseca is doing remarkably well in Serie A, considering this is his first Serie A season and the injuries are piling up.
“I saw three Shakhtar Donetsk games and it was a well-drilled team that always played the same way, clearly had organisation and kept tight. I started tracking him from there.
“We had a meeting, he brought his iPad along and showed how he developed his passing game, so really won us over. We also found a great professional and a good man.”
Watch Serie A live in the UK on Premier Sports for just £11.99 per month including live LaLiga, Eredivisie, Scottish Cup Football and more. Visit: https://subscribe.premiersports.tv/
