Marco Motta Hails Roma Character After Comeback Win Over Atalanta

Roma claimed a vital 2-1 victory away to Atalanta yesterday to avenge last season’s 3-0 reverse in Bergamo and move up to ninth in Serie A.

“This is one of the most difficult grounds and we still had the bad memories of last year,” Marco Motta mused on the Roma Channel.

“But we got payback and managed to pick up three crucial points. Football is strange: we controlled the game in the first half and yet conceded a goal on their first shot.

“But we managed to equalise and then win the match.”

Next up for the Lupi is a Europa League clash with Swiss side Basel on Tuesday, but there are fears Claudio Ranieri’s men will snub the tie as the Derby della Capitale with Lazio beckons.

“I’d be a hypocrite if I said we are not thinking of the derby,” smiled Motta.

“But we must be smart and professional. We face a game on Tuesday against a side that defeated us in the first leg and we do not want to commit other mistakes.”