Roma coach Rudi Garcia felt luck was against his team as a 2-0 loss
to Manchester City ended their UEFA Champions League campaign.
The
hosts faded after a promising start to the decisive Group E clash,
where City midfielder Samir Nasri clattered home a 25-yard strike via
the inside of the post with an hour played.
Roma's Kostas Manolas saw his header tipped onto the post by visiting
goalkeeper Joe Hart before Pablo Zabaleta struck four minutes from time
to ensure the Premier League powerhouse progressed in second place
behind group winners Bayern Munich.
"We knew even without some players that City were strong and they
proved it," Garcia told Mediaset after the match, before identifying
Nasri and Manolas' respective efforts as being key to the outcome.
"It was a very balanced game and you need luck too, so tonight
fortune chose its team with those two uprights. I do think we could've
scored and done something more in this game.
"Manchester City have more experience and maturity at this level,
whereas we are learning and need to improve some elements. We also need
some even stronger players if we are to reach teams of that level.
"We should've made more of our opening half-hour, when we had City on
the ropes. Similarly, you can't allow a player like Nasri to shoot
undisturbed from distance.
"They are not the Premier League holders for nothing. I am really
disappointed for the lads, as it was possible to do better and qualify,
but it shows us the steps we still need to climb in order to be among
Europe's top clubs."
Roma's continental season will continue in the UEFA Europa League in
2015, and Garcia is ready to prioritise Serie A ahead of Europe's
second-tier competition.
"If we want to play the Champions League again, then we need a great Serie A campaign," he said.
"We have the Europa League now, which is an international tournament, but the league remains our main objective."
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