Roma coach Paulo Fonseca refused to seek excuses after their 4-1 thrashing by Atalanta.

Edin Dzeko had Roma ahead before the Orobici overran them.

“I don't want to seek alibis. The team played with great intensity in the first half, but our second half was childish, it was men against boys," Fonseca told Sky Sport Italia.

“The team was stretched out, not aggressive, and that is fatal against a side like Atalanta. It wasn't physical, it was psychological, a question of attitude.

“We played well for 25 minutes, then changed attitude completely. That cannot happen."

He continued: “We want to win every game and if the team had kept the attitude of the first half, we may well have won. However, playing like we did in the second half makes it extremely difficult to take points off big opponents," said a visibly irritated Fonseca.

“It was just totally different after the break. The team went too deep, showed no aggression, no determination. There was no reason for it.

“We must make sure the players understand they cannot change their attitude like that. We made it too easy for Atalanta. Without aggression, you cannot win this type of match."