Eusebio di Francesco lays into Roma players after shock defeat at Udinese

AS Roma coach Eusebio Di Francesco publicly criticised his players on Monday for lacking determination, saying it was not something that could be bought at the supermarket.

Roma, who finished third in Serie A last season and reached the Champions League semi-finals, suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at Udinese on Saturday, leaving them seventh in the table and 18 points behind leaders Juventus.

They host Real Madrid in Champions League Group G on Tuesday, needing a draw to qualify for the next round with one match to spare. 

He claimed his players lacked determination after they were beaten in Serie A at the weekend

‘We lacked desire to win and hunger in both defence and attack,’ Di Francesco said. 

‘We’d prepared for the game and I saw it as the most important match we had. Losing was enormously annoying.

‘We didn’t show enough determination, which is not something you can go and buy at the supermarket,’ he added.

‘We need to work on the mentality of the players and on our play. We’re lucky that we have a big game right away so that we can put ourselves out there and show that we’re not the team you saw at Udinese.’ 

The Italian side return to action on Tuesday against Real Madrid in the Champions League

Roma need just one point to qualify for the knockout stage with one round of games to go

Di Francesco’s future is now said to be under threat, some media reports saying he has been given two games to inspire an improvement.

‘Let’s talk about the team, not me,’ he said. 

‘I’ve always felt the confidence of the club. Football is football. The result tomorrow is obviously important because we want to try to finish top of the group.’ 

Aleksandar Kolarov looks on as Roma were put through their paces at the Stadio Olimpico

Striker Edin Dzeko stretches his leg muscles as he prepares for the visit of Real Madrid