Daniele De Rossi has admitted that his penalty miss cost Roma dear in their Champions League clash at Manchester United.
Midfielder bemoans key spot-kick miss
Daniele De Rossi has admitted that his penalty miss cost Roma dear in their UEFA Champions League clash against Manchester United.
Roma headed into Wednesday's second-leg quarter-final encounter looking to overturn a 2-0 defeat after United had claimed success at the Stadio Olimpico last week.
Luciano Spalletti's side were handed a golden opportunity to haul themselves back into the tie on 29 minutes when Wes Brown was adjudged to have fouled Mancini in the penalty area.
However, De Rossi skied his spot-kick, allowing United to wrap up the triumph in the 70th minute when Carlos Tevez headed home.
And Italy international De Rossi has rued his miss while urging his team-mates to pick themselves up ahead of their Serie A run-in.
The worst
"It was one of the most difficult moments of my career," he said. "But these are things that you have to leave far aside.
"It's not the worst, but a single moment can change the Champions League, it can change a season - it could have changed the game.
"Manchester United are a great team. An incredibly strong team that have at least 20 players who are absolutely top class.
"We are also a great team and it's unfortunate that we couldn't win tonight.
League focus
"But now we have to focus on the Scudetto even though we know it will be very difficult.
"It's true that Internazionale aren't Manchester United but there's a lot of other factors, a lot of other teams - some of whom have a lot of motivation and some of whom have less.
"It will be difficult to beat them but it can be done."
