AS Roma coach Rudi Garcia defended their performance for the 3-3 draw with Chievo Verona.

Roma threw away a 2-0 lead and were pegged back 3-3 by Chievo in a dramatic Bentegodi encounter.

“It was a different team today and I could not have asked for more from my lads," Garcia told Mediaset Premium.

“Obviously we lost two points, because we were leading twice, and conceded two goals from set plays. However, with six out of seven midfielders out of action, we still came close to winning.

“Now Saturday's game is crucial and we have to concentrate on that. Hopefully Mohamed Salah won't be out for too long with that injury.

“As long as the team keeps fighting the way it did today, we live in hope. The players were all angry, but that has to be poured into the performance against Milan.

“If we don't want to lose ground on the leading pack, we have to win on Saturday. It's a shame, as we could've won today, but I am happy for the youngster Umar Sadiq.

“He is a player of quality and we need him at the moment as we are short on strikers."