Juric: “It could be a turning point”

Here’s what the coach had to say...

What sort of changes are you thinking about after the defeat in Florence?

“You’re right [to mention changes]. There was an emotional dip, in my opinion, based on watching the footage back. I expected a forward step after 40 days of good, rather than excellent, hard work, in which we produced some good performances. To the contrary, however, there was a total collapse. It could also be a turning point.

“Maybe it’s better to lose like that rather than hide away from problems if they’ve been there for years or some time. If we take stock of what happened, it could be a turning point, just like when AC Milan shipped five goals against Atalanta under [Stefano] Pioli, who said at the time that he’d understood things better and they started to work in the right way.”

As for Torino, you know the club well. With an occasion such as tomorrow evening’s in mind, have you been working more on mental preparation than the football itself?

“We’ve covered a bit of everything in recent days, that’s for sure. Torino are a well-established side. We had a good three years there and [Paolo] Vanoli is doing a top job. They made some shrewd signings and are enjoying a good season. Their team has clear ideas and an identity so we’ll need to be attentive to the small details. Mental preparation will also be important.”

Are you feeling that there’s a strange ‘last chance’ kind of atmosphere? After Jose Mourinho’s Roma lost heavily to Bodo back in 2021 he dropped some players. Is mixing things up like that the right approach?

“As for the first part of the question, it’s not on my mind at all. Journalists are always asking me things like this, but I’m focusing on doing my job – what happens, happens. It’s about knowing what can be improved upon and what’s worked so far. 

“I think that given the nature of Roma’s squad we can’t rule players out – we need all hands on deck. We need the players to understand what it really means to wear this shirt, to represent this place, and what’s required of us. It’s not about excluding players, but getting them to buy into the ideas, because the transfer window isn’t open anyway. Or not even that - just making it clear what they need to do and when.”

In the last two days rumours have been filtering through as to what happened in the dressing room in Florence. Are this group of players still convinced by the team’s approach?

“Over the last few days there have been some arguments, and heated ones at that, but it’s better to have aired our dirty laundry already. The accumulated emotions over the last few days have been released - arguments and discussions have been had. We’ve steadied the ship, at least in terms of our mindset, in terms of what the team has to do, on what we have to focus on. 

“In that sense I see it as a positive thing. Given my nature I favour this type of confrontation – having honest, head-on discussions, instead of making small talk behind the scenes. I’ll try to pick the best team possible with winning the match in mind. For me it’s all water under the bridge – we’re starting from scratch, sights set high, aiming to do well. Yesterday the players looked like they had the right mindset - they seemed assured. As I said, maybe it’s better for this to happen than losing 1-0 and continuing on as we were. It’s an important moment for everyone involved.”

What emotions had built up between the players? Where do the grudges in this team lie?

“This needs to remain private. I said that there were arguments and clashes, but the rest has to stay between us. I don’t want to talk about it.”

Lorenzo Pellegrini said this at the end of the Fiorentina match: “We need to look each other in the eye and tell each other the truth.” What such truth should the players be sharing with one another?

“I think we had honest discussions. At first the conversations were aggressive, then they were carried out in a more reasonable manner. My point of view is straightforward: I am the coach, I have to prepare the team for matches. My doctor has to take care of the players’ health. And the players have to play. It’s very simple.

“They have to think about how they run, their body positioning, their focus, just as I have to concentrate solely on making the team play in the best possible way. The same goes for those who have other tasks here – they should think about their own, not about other things. I believe that knowing who does what in their role is very important. Everyone should concentrate on where they can really make an impact.”

During the discussions you mentioned, did it became apparent that different people had different tactical perspectives?

“I believe that we’ve conceded five goals in seven games. If I were to compare last season and how Torino and Roma fared, Torino, playing in the same manner, conceded 36 goals, while Roma let in 46. For me, these are just excuses.

“If the players aren’t convinced, they can easily say to me: “I’m out of here.” Instead, it seems to me that this isn’t the case and that they’re assured: the players want to do well, they want to improve from how we did in Florence. This way of playing brings many benefits: it can be done very well and the players have got the characteristics to execute it very successfully, both in and out of possession. I see no issues in this regard.”

Have you spoken to the owners in recent days? Pellegrini commented on organisational difficulties within the club. Have you felt that there's a lack of dialogue with the club’s hierarchy? 

“We have contact with the president. We’ve talked about all of the issues, and I think that the discussions have been fruitful. These are all things that take your mind off the football itself. My perspective remains the same - everyone has to do their part, and I have to coach. Regarding the organisation here, as I’ve been saying since day one, I don’t see any shortcomings. In fact, I prefer it this way, as I call the shots. The club grants you responsibility, and we need to get results. Everything else is a distraction. Everyone has to do their part – we need to work hard and say humble because this is the right approach to get out of such a predicament. After a defeat like our last one, everything becomes clear. That’s how I see things.”