Celtic 0-3 Roma – “We didn’t cope with the intensity,” Wilfried Nancy | OneFootball

Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy spoke to the mainstream media following Celtic’s troubling 3-0 defeat to Roma last night in the Europa League. Here is everything that was said…

Celtic Chief Executive Michael Nicholson and Celtic Chief Financial Officer Chris Mackay in the directors box. Celtic v Hearts, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 07 December 2025. IMAGO photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

The Celtic Star were supposed to have access to post-match in the mixed-zone but the club once again denied fan media access and have still yet to explain why they have taken such a draconian decision, which has even stretched to affecting the coverage of women’s football.

Evan Ferguson of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between Celtic FC and AS Roma at Celtic Park on December 11, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Q: Wilfried, a difficult night tonight. What’s your reading of the match?

Wilfried Nancy: “It was difficult. We started the game after five minutes. We scored an own goal on the corner. It was not easy. They put in a lot of intensity, but we didn’t cope with the intensity. After that, we wanted to escape the pressure. When we did it, we didn’t play forward. It was difficult. The second half was a bit better. We were able to get closer to each other, to escape the pressure. After that, we had a few actions that I liked. We got in the overlap, the underlap, to attack with pace a little bit more. Yes, we missed the penalty. I think that one goal could have been better to change the dynamics. For the moment, we’re struggling a bit in this situation, but it was a difficult night.”

Wilfried Nancy, Head Coach of Celtic, shouts instructions during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between Celtic FC and AS Roma at Celtic Park on December 11, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Q: With hindsight, if you knew how that first half was going to go, would you have picked the same team and the same system to play Roma tonight?

Wilfried Nancy: “The idea was to make changes in the second half, because we had a final to prepare. After that, we didn’t play the same system defensively. We adjusted a bit. In the second half, it was the same system that we played in the first game, and we did well. So, yes, it was a difficult night.”

Q: Wilfried, after these first two games, does it leave you to think that it’s a bigger task than you thought? Or is this what you expected to do this time?

Wilfried Nancy: “I expected it. Come on, guys. I just came one week ago. A few players had six games in a row. We had injured players so we had big games coming. So, yes, I expected that. I knew that this situation would happen. That’s why I want to be positive. I have a lot of situations where I can be positive. But, again, tonight was a tough night. It’s the reality. Now the idea is to rest for the next few days and to prepare for the final and to have a good performance.”

Q: What would you say were the bright spots you saw from your players tonight? What did you like out there?

Wilfried Nancy: “Again, when we were able to disrupt the pressure, I think that was a good moment. After that, we didn’t go forward. It can help us a little bit more to keep the ball and to have more runs. But in the first half, we were too soft at certain moments, and I think that we have to be stronger. We have to believe a little bit more in the individual.

“When we raised a bit the level of that, we were able to connect passes and to attack the box and to create a little bit more danger. But, again, sometimes we were too far. We need to be a little bit more close to be able to connect and to go forward quicker.”

Q: How would you assess how quickly the players have been able to adapt to the new shape and your new ideas so far?

Wilfried Nancy: “I think they did well. Today, we had a bit of difficulty with the intensity, like I said. But again, it was not easy for my players to do it. In the second half, we saw and I saw good stuff. I think that they are on board with that. This is not a question because the connection that I have with them is already there. I understand what we want to do, but the battle of power tonight was a bit difficult.”

Q: How confident are you that the players will be able to watch their game again and raise their levels for what is a really big deal and certainly a chance of the first silverware?

Wilfried Nancy: “I’m confident and my players are confident. Again, it’s been four days of practice that I had, and it’s not an excuse, but this is a fact. Like I said, the engagement, my players are on board. For now, it was a difficult night.”

Q: You said there that the players were too soft. Can you expand on that a little bit? Do you mean physically?

Wilfried Nancy: “Yeah, you know, at a certain moment, it’s not about getting big or small. I think that sometimes we have to use a little bit more of our body. I think in terms of body position, we could have been better. Because sometimes instead of being at turn, we were back to goal and kept showing like this because this is a man-to-man. I think that we could have been better individually to be able to accept the pressure and to go forward or at least to keep the ball. But we didn’t do well at certain moments during the first half and the second half was better.”

Q: Do you think that’s something you can change easily?

Wilfried Nancy: “Yes, because I’m going to show again to the players what we need to improve. Yes, the opposition was strong tonight, but I think that we didn’t do well at certain things. I think that they can do it and they did it during the game too, but not enough.”

Q: During this period, how important is it to keep the players’ confidence and morale up? Is that going to be a tough job for you?

Wilfried Nancy: “Yes, totally. But again, it’s about discussion, it’s about honesty, it’s about also empathy and the commitment that they have. I can feel it. For me, this is the most important. Now, we have big games. Obviously, I knew that before, but I can feel the connection that we have. I can feel what we want to do, that they are able to do it too. They are confident with that, but we’re not effective.”

Q: In terms of the system, the formation, do you have decisions to make for Sunday? Do you worry that you’ve changed too much, too soon?

Wilfried Nancy: “Yes, I need to choose the right player. We are in the number of games that we have, so in terms of freshness. After that, this game is going to be a different game. Every game is different, as you know. Again, in the next two days, I’m going to analyse everything to have the best team to have a good game.”

Q: In your mind, does tonight underline the need for quality additions in the January transfer window?

Wilfried Nancy: “We’ve been talking about that since last week, when we met. We know that we have the window, but again, the most important thing for me is to know the players. After that, we’ll see what we do. I want to know the players a bit more, to have a better decision, and to see what we need to do.”

Q: The overlapping between Celik and Soule was the key of this match for you?

Wilfried Nancy: “Yes, it was important to deal with that. This is something that we analysed and I’d like to do too. That’s why the second goal is that we can do better. We have to shift a little bit more to be able to stop this action over there. I think that overall, we did well to develop the position to block the overlap. But I think that at the key moments, we were too far. And this is something that we have to adjust a little bit.”

Q: Can you explain how difficult it is for a new manager to come in during a hectic December with little time to train? What is that challenge like?

Wilfried Nancy:  “Again, I accept the challenge. I’m ready for the challenge. I knew that before. I could have said no, I want to come a little bit later. I don’t know. But the reality is the reality. I knew that we had a big game coming. I also knew that it could be difficult. So again, the belief that I have for my players is really high.

“The way we work, even though we didn’t work a lot, is really high. So that’s why I’m really confident. Because they are engaged. We talk to each other. And I believe that in the next few days, we’re going to be able to do something good. Because I feel and I see good things. But this is a big challenge. Because obviously, we don’t train. This is all about rest.

Wilfried Nancy, Head Coach of Celtic, speaks with the fourth official during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between Celtic FC and AS Roma at Celtic Park on December 11, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“Many players played many games in a row. Many minutes in a row. This is the situation. And again, I don’t like to hide behind things. But I like also to have facts. We have a lot of injured players. This is the reality. And this is after. And I knew this before. But I’m confident. And I see good things. It’s not enough. But we are going, we are moving forward.”

Conor Spence

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