Here’s what he had to say...
How do you sum up the performance?
Roberto: “I think we played a good game. We could score at the beginning of the game with Mathys Tel. We conceded a goal, a great goal of Enzo Fernandez, but I think we could do something better, especially in the second ball, long ball, (Destiny) Udogie. And before to concede the second goal, we could score with Richarlison with a big chance. Anyway, I think we played well. I would like if we play Sunday like the last 20 minutes, because in the last 20 minutes we showed, I think, more energy, more passion, something more inside of us. But it's difficult, it's an opportunity for every one of us, because through this period, these games, these days, we can become better as a coach, as a player if we stay strong until the end, because when you fight for the relegation, you have to stay inside of the league until the last minute of the last game of the season.”
What did you make of the penalty appeals when Micky van de Ven went to ground?
Roberto: “It's not my business now. My focus is to prepare the next game and to make points, because Sunday is the final for Tottenham, not Bilbao against Manchester United. The most important game is Sunday, because last season they played for the trophy, now we play for something more important than the trophy, because the pride, the history of the club, the dignity are more important than the trophy. The trophy you can win, you can lose, nothing changes in your life. You can have one trophy more, but the most important is to keep the dignity, to keep the pride, to go on holiday like this (with heads up), and not like this (with heads down).”
If you play like you did in the last 20 minutes against Everton, will you be okay?
Roberto: “I think for the first 70 minutes we didn’t play badly. We played well. We played a good game, yes, but in the last third of the pitch we made too many mistakes. In the assist, in the last pass, the cross, in the finishing. I think we can show these values also in the last pass.”
Do the players understand the dignity factor that you mentioned?
Roberto: “Very well.”
How do you know?
Roberto: “Because I’m living just for Tottenham. I have lived the last 45 days just for one thing – Tottenham and for my players and I know them very well. Then we can make differences because not everyone is like their team-mate because the character, the level of passion, the level of personality is different because the people are different. But every one of them, they are focused on the target. They are working hard during the week and every one of us wants to achieve the goal.”
How much do you need James Maddison to play on Sunday?
Roberto: “Yes, but James Maddison can’t play more than 20 or 25. I have a medical staff behind me, I am not a doctor, I am not physical coach and I have to follow what they say, no? But I think we can stay up with James and without James.”
Can you understand why fans will be annoyed about the penalty incident, especially after the incident against Leeds?
Roberto: “The fans today have been fantastic, fantastic and we have to say thanks because they were incredible. If we speak about the penalty with Leeds, today we can speak about what you want but we lose focus and we lose energy. My focus is to stay on the pitch, to stay in the best first XI I can decide for Sunday and to transfer what I think about this game, about the football and to prepare in the best way the players. I think we played a final, we played an important game but in our stadium and we have two results out of three, so we have to stay alive but any way, it is a big day for us.”