Roma fans protest after capitulation against Fiorentina

AS Roma players went to speak to disgruntled fans after the final whistle

 

Rome - Three goals in the space of 12 first-half minutes sealed a memorable victory for Fiorentina in Rome and left the home side humiliated. The AS Roma supporters voiced their displeasure both during and after the match, attacking the team bus as it arrived to collect the players.

 

Roma manager Rudi Garcia described the defeat as “unexpected” and “mortifying” calling for the players to show an immediate response and strengthen their hold on second place in Serie A.

 

“There are 11 battles remaining in Serie A. I will not let go for a second, we have to lift our heads and get back up,” Garcia told Mediaset. “We have to salvage the season with second place. If we qualify for the Champions League, it will have been an acceptable campaign.”

 

After seeing his side slump to a 2-0 defeat against Sampdoria on Monday night, the manager made several changes to his starting XI for the match against Fiorentina. Given that the Europa League represented Roma’s last realistic chance of silverware this season, many were surprised that captain Francesco Totti and Juan Manuel Iturbe were left on the bench, but after the 1-1 draw in the first leg, the home supporters believed their team had a strong chance against Fiorentina.

 

It didn’t take long however for these hopes to be dashed. Fiorentina striker Gonzalo Rodríguez made no mistake with his eighth minute penalty, awarded when Chilean playmaker Matías Fernández was brought down in the box. Things quickly went from bad to worse for the Giallorossi as Marco Alonso capitalised on a goalkeeping error to make the score 2-0 on the night.

 

AS Roma’s capitulation was completed in the 21st minute when Fiorentina defender José Basanta headed in from a corner. In truth, the scoreline flattered the home side as Fiorentina forward Mohammed Salah hit the post and the bar in the second half, which ended as it had started, 3-0 to the visitors.

 

Several sections of fans made their anger obvious to the players and the management during the first half. Many of the ultras seated in the famous Curva Sud left in protest before half time and those who remained were able to voice their concerns to the players, who were led over to apologise by Totti following the final whistle.

 

There were also some ugly scenes outside the ground with some supporters throwing bottles at the team bus as it arrived to collect the squad. The players were shepherded out of a back entrance to avoid the disgruntled fans. 

 

AS Roma currently find themselves second in the able, only a point ahead of bitter rivals Lazio and will be looking to bounce back from this defeat at Cesena on Sunday.