Paredes Expresses Disappointment After Roma’s Europa League Defeat

Following Roma’s 1-0 defeat to AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League, midfielder Leandro Paredes voiced his disappointment with the team’s performance. The loss eliminated Roma’s chances of securing a top-8 finish and direct entry into the Round of 16.

“This result is extremely disappointing. We had an opportunity to finish in the top eight, but now we’ll have to go through the playoffs,” Paredes stated in a post-match interview. “It’s clear we need to improve our away performances.”

The decisive goal came from AZ substitute Troy Parrott, who capitalized on a Roma defensive error. Paredes acknowledged the team’s vulnerability to counterattacks, saying, “We’re aware of this weakness. We must address it, as it’s not acceptable at this level.”

The loss came as a surprise given Roma’s recent strong form, which included a victory over city rivals Lazio and a draw with AC Milan. “It’s particularly frustrating because we had been playing well recently. To come here and perform like this is very upsetting,” Paredes added.

When questioned about his future with Roma beyond this season, Paredes remained noncommittal: “To be honest, I’m not sure. I’m taking things one day at a time. We’ll see what happens.”

The defeat means Roma will now have to navigate the Europa League playoffs, adding extra fixtures to their already busy schedule as they continue to compete in Serie A and the Coppa Italia.