Juric: Roma win ‘much-deserved’, N’Dicka ‘ahead’ of Hummels, Pisilli ‘incredible talent’ | OneFootball

A first half Artem Dovbyk penalty was enough to give Roma what was a ‘much deserved’ 1-0 win over Dynamo Kyiv, according to coach Ivan Juric, who defined 20-year-old Nicolò Pisilli as an ‘incredible talent’.

The Giallorossi put an end to a three-game winless streak and returned to victory, the first of their European campaign this season, as much as Juric believes the hosts alternated positive moments with phases in which they lacked ‘self-confidence’.

Juric: Roma win over Dinamo Kyiv ‘much-deserved’, ‘incredible’ Pisilli

“There were moments during which I liked the team a lot, while I liked other moments less, as we lacked a bit of certainty and self-confidence,” Juric said after his side’s first Europa League win against Dynamo Kyiv, as quoted by TMW.

“But if I look at the chances we created, shot on goals, corners and everything, it was a much-deserved win.

I think that in the closing minutes, by sitting deeper and creating numerical superiority at the back, we managed it very well. Our aggressivity was very good, but it was not the first time.”

Former Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels was expected to make his debut with Roma, but the coach admitted he’s in direct competition with Evan N’Dicka, who played again today and is ‘doing well’ and is ‘ahead’ of the German centre-back.

epa11680700 AS Roma’s coach Ivan Juric looks on during the UEFA Europa League soccer match AS Roma vs Dynamo Kyiv at Olimpico stadium in Rome, Italy, 24 October 2024. EPA-EFE/ALESSANDRO DI MEO

“I see Hummels in [the same] N’Dicka’s position, and at this moment it seems to me that our defence is holding up well,” he explained.

“N’Dicka is doing well and is ahead [of Hummels]. But Hummels is a great professional and will have his chances.”

Considering N’Dicka was given the captain’s armband, it will be very difficult to push him out of the starting XI.

Pisilli and Tommaso Baldanzi started in midfield tonight, and the Giallorossi coach proved pleased with their display, despite underlining how they can all improve.

“I like Le Fee a lot, he can do much better than today, but it was his first game,” Juric claimed.

“He’s intelligent and sensitive. Baldanzi plays good and direct football, he runs at the goal, and it’s a crucial aspect. Then, he also carries out the defensive phase with intelligence.

“We have a lot of youngsters who are leaving me very pleased and they can still improve a lot.

“Pisilli is an incredible talent, he can do better because he runs too much at times and loses position.

“But I love to coach him, he’s an incredible talent, humble, he controls the ball by pointing forward. He can play in the middle or a bit more advanced.”