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Despite Thursday's 3-1 defeat at Wolfsburg in the UEFA Europa League, Roberto Mancini does not feel Inter's players lack commitment or effort.
Mancini's side return to Serie A against Cesena on Sunday after three Juan Pablo Carrizo errors helped the Bundesliga side to victory in the last-16 first-leg tie.
Goalkeeper Carrizo was defended by Mancini after the defeat at the Volkswagen Arena, with the Inter boss quick to reiterate his happiness with Inter's recent efforts.
"The formation isn't important; what matters is the character and mindset the players go out there with," he said.
"No one's let me down. When the players cross the white line they give 100 per cent.
"It was a very open match and we lost it because of our own mistakes - they're part and parcel of the game.
"You can't blame Carrizo. Players make mistakes like anyone else. He's an excellent keeper like [Samir] Handanovic."
Inter lie six points off Fiorentina and the final European place, with the Milan derby to come next month.
"Cesena, Sampdoria, two more and then the derby. If we play these games well, we can close the gap," he added.
"We're a bit tired with all the travelling, but I doubt we'll change much [for Sunday]. We'll assess [Gary] Medel and [Rodrigo] Palacio."
Ignazio Abate has offered his backing to under-fire Milan coach Filippo Inzaghi ahead of Monday's Serie A clash with Fiorentina.
The pressure on Inzaghi intensified after Milan were denied victory against Verona by a stoppage-time strike from Nicolas Lopez in last Saturday's 2-2 draw.
That was followed by reports during the week that the club had contacted Empoli with the aim of speaking to their coach Maurizio Sarri about taking up the role at the end of the season.
But Abate, who has completed his return from injury, remains right behind his manager and maintains Milan - who sit in mid-table - must target a European place.
"We are with our coach," he told the club's official website
"We are very close to our coach because he has always supported us.
"We have an obligation to go to Europe, starting from Monday. It will be difficult, but it would be wrong to think that we cannot get the three points."
Inzaghi's side have improved in recent weeks and are unbeaten in four league matches, but are still seven points behind their fifth-placed hosts going into this contest, having won just one of those four.
Fiorentina, meanwhile, are looking up and will have designs on reeling in Lazio and seizing third spot, which comes with the huge bonus of UEFA Champions League football.
Roma dented Vincenzo Montella's side's domestic prospects in their previous league match, ending an eight-game unbeaten run with a 4-0 success.
But Fiorentina responded with a solid display against Roma in the UEFA Europa League, finishing their home leg 1-1.
That result came at a cost, as midfielder David Pizarro suffered a torn hamstring and will therefore miss out, along with Mario Gomez, Joaquin and the suspended Nenad Tomovic.
There was some positive news for Milan on the injury front during the week as Stephan El Shaarawy saw a specialist, and his recovery from a broke metatarsal appears to be on track.
Andrea Poli is unavailable because of suspension, but Inzaghi has the option to make changes further forward with Keisuke Honda likely to come back in.
With fixtures against Palermo in Serie A and Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, the coach insists his side must be at their best in the coming days
Massimiliano Allegri has warned his Juventus side that they must be at their best as they prepare for a "decisive" week.
The Serie A champions take on Palermo on Saturday as they look to maintain their 11-point gap at the top of the table.
Just a few days later, they will travel to Germany to defend a 2-1 lead from the first-leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie with Borussia Dortmund and Allegri is confident his side will put in strong performances in both games.
"We begin a week that’s more or less decisive as far as the league’s concerned, which still hasn’t been won, and the Champions League, where we’ve got a knockout game," he told reporters.
"But for now we’ll just stay focused on Palermo.
"I think we’ll have a difficult game because they’re in a healthy position in the table and can play quite a carefree game.
“There will also be a full stadium and playing Juventus will provide a huge boost for them, I think.
"Crucially, they have shown themselves to be strong at home, they’ve taken 26 points at home, so it will not be an easy game."
The 47-year-old was also asked about Palermo's Paulo Dybala, who has been heavily linked with a move to Juve this year.
"I think Dybala can get even better and eventually play for a great team," he remarked.
Allegri then turned his attention to the European clash at the Signal Iduna Park.
"In Europe it is normal that there will be more goals because the game is more technical.
"On Wednesday we will have to be very good.
"Can Juve get into the top five in Europe in the future? It must be the goal and ambition."
Tevez: Drugs and murder part of everyday life growing up in Argentina
By Mark Doyle
Mar 13, 2015 23:51:49
The Juventus striker has explained how his childhood friend Dario Coronel, who was considered an even more exciting prospect, was lost to a life of crime
Carlos Tevez says that he is appreciative of the lavish lifestyle that football has afforded him because he grew up in an area in which "drugs and murder were part of everyday life".
The Juventus ace was raised in Buenos Aires, in the notorious Barrio Ejercito de Los Andes, which is more commonly known as Fuerte Apache. His best friend as a child was fellow footballer Dario Coronel, who was considered by some coaches and scouts to be an even more promising prospect than Tevez.
Tragically, though, Coronel got involved in a gang after moving to Velez Sarsfield and reportedly took his own life as a 17-year-old in order to avoid being arrested by the police.
Tevez, by contrast, went on to become one of the most revered forwards in the world game.
"My whole childhood was hard," the striker explained. "I lived in a place where drugs and murder were part of everyday life.
"Experiencing difficult things, even as a very young kid, means you grow up quickly.
"I think that enables everyone to choose their own path and not just pick the one others have taken before you, and I went my own way.
"I never condoned drugs or murder, and luckily I was able to make a choice.
"Everyone decides for themselves what they’re going to do. Dario had everything he needed to be just as successful, but he chose a different path – criminality and drugs – and that ultimately meant that he is no longer with us.
"He is, or was, my best friend. We were together 24 hours a day, even though we later went to different clubs and things like that. But we were always together, all day long.
"But I truly believe that everyone chooses their own route through life, and he – and this has nothing to do with luck – chose the easier option."
Tevez, who joined Juve from Manchester City in the summer of 2013, inspired the Bianconeri to a record Serie A points haul during last season's title-winning campaign and has proven even more prolific this term, netting 14 times in 25 appearances thus far.
The veteran player has spoken of the day he contemplated ending his career nearly 10 years ago, when AC Milan capitulated in the Champions League final
Andrea Pirlo has revealed how he nearly quit football following AC Milan's Champions League defeat to Liverpool in 2005.
The midfielder was part of the Milan side who led 3-0 at half-time in the final, only for the Reds to score three goals in the second half and take the game into extra-time.
Pirlo saw his penalty saved by Jerzy Dudek while Andriy Shevchencko also missed his spot kick as Liverpool won the match on penalties, leaving the Italian distraught.
"The day I leave football is far away," he told Tuttosport . "But once the idea of quitting crossed my mind.
"It was after the defeat of AC Milan in the Champions League final with Liverpool in Istanbul. For some days I really thought it was over. I had no strength left."
The 35-year-old did, of course, opt to play on and has since gone on to become one of the game's most revered playmakers.
Pirlo won the World Cup the following year, lifted the Champions League with Milan in 2007 then left San Siro for Juventus in 2011, where he has won Serie A in every season since his arrival.
"I always knew I was good," he added. "I was better than the others. I was never worried about the pressures of being tipped to make it either. In fact, that gave me an even greater sense of responsibility. Knowing I was talented made me want to improve every day.
"It's my life; it's what I always wanted to do and want to do. It's been occupying my days for 20 years, in good and in bad, and it taught me my place on earth.
"I've learned lots, obviously - the first thing being never to forget to be grateful. The second is not to bear grudges because in football luck does not exist.
"You can be lucky for a few years, but in the end your defects will emerge. The reality is different. People are watching you and those who know how to play will progress, while those who don't will remain in the lower levels."
The Bianconeri have admitted that many sides want the French international but added that they have no interested in selling the midfielder
Juventus CEO Giuseppe Marotta claims that several top European clubs are willing to pay €80 million for Paul Pogba.
The 21-year-old midfielder has been repeatedly linked with a move away from the Italian champions, despite the fact that he is under contract until 2019.
Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester City are all said to be ready to launch record transfer raids for the France international, and Marotta has admitted that the Turin giants could cash in on him tomorrow if they so wished.
"There are so many buyers for Pogba,” Marotta told Radio Deejay.
“There are teams ready to spend 70-80 million euro for him, but we don't want to open negotiations because we want keep him to continue to develop here.”
Pogba’s agent, Mino Raiola, claimed this week that while he could 2sell Pogba to PSG or Man City in a heartbeat", his client is currently settled and happy to stay in Turin.
Meanwhile, Marotta also revealed that Juve were interested in Italy international Marco Verratti prior to the 22-year-old’s €12 million move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2012.
"We had contacts in that summer he went to PSG, but we had just taken Pogba [from Manchester United]," he explained.
“Then came the offer of [PSG director] Leonardo and we could not match it."
The midfielder feels he just needs to be given a chance in the national team to nail down a regular spot and says he was delighted to get "revenge" over Chelsea
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti has set his sights on taking over from Andrea Pirlo in the Italy midfield.
The 22-year-old has been unable to nail down a regular starting spot for the national team so far, despite some excellent displays at club level.
Verratti maintains he is good enough to star for the Azzurri, though, although he has admitted his playing style leaves him at a disadvantage.
“Young players must earn a place, especially as the coach doesn’t see some players very often, so he plays those he can rely on," he told Gazzetta dello Sport.
"There are great players in front of me in the pecking order, but if I get a chance, I try to give my best. So far Conte has given me some opportunities, but I must make the most of them.
"Conte is building a great squad with a different philosophy. His 3-5-2 is different to the formation I play in at PSG, so I need more time to learn the precise movements he wants me to make.
“He likes midfielders who do a lot of work off the ball and create space for the forwards, which is not my style, but I can always try it.
“I think I’d do a lot better in front of the defence. Pirlo’s there, so I think my position will be on the right or the left side of the bench for now...
"I don’t know if I’m ideal for his style. In the national team you have to adapt, though obviously I can’t suddenly turn into a centre-back tomorrow, for example."
Verratti was one of the stars in midweek as PSG secured a 2-2 draw with Chelsea in the second-leg of their Champions League tie, sending them through to the quarter-finals on away goals and he says it was great to get revenge against teh tem who eliminated them last year.
“It was as big as a semi-final or a final. We prepared for it better than last season and it was nice to get revenge against Chelsea.
“Last year we had too much respect for them, but certain defeats can make you more determined. This time we knew we were the better team.
"The energy in the locker room makes me feel stronger too and the more I play, the more confident I am."
The midfielder insists he is happy in the French capital and says he has no desire to leave any time soon.
“When I signed for PSG, people said I’d run away after two months. Instead after three years I’m still here and my son was born in Paris. It’s my second home.
“Although, I still end up eating only in Italian restaurants here...
“If a club really wants me then they’ll sign me and that’s all. If PSG were to force me to leave in order to make room for Pogba, then I will think differently.
“But that’s certainly not an issue I need think about just now. I ignore gossip and rumours. If one day PSG don't want me anymore, I will pay more attention."
Serie A Review: Toni downs Napoli, Inter held by Cesena
15 March 2015
Luca Toni netted a brace as Napoli's bid for UEFA Champions League qualification faltered in a 2-0 defeat at Verona on Sunday.
The veteran striker pounced after seven minutes to power into the back of the net from close range after forcing his way into the Napoli box and rounding goalkeeper Mariano Andujar.
Emil Hallfredsson provided the assist for the second six minutes into the second period, pulling the ball into the centre of the penalty area from the left for Toni to guide home.
Verona had Jacopo Sala dismissed for a second bookable offence in the 90th minute, but it was too late for Napoli to make the most of the man advantage.
The result leaves Napoli fourth, having slipped behind Lazio in the race for the top three, while Verona pull 11 points clear of the relegation zone.
Cesena remain embroiled in the fight against the drop, but will attract huge credit for earning a 1-1 draw at Inter.
Inter looked likely to end disappointing run of three matches without a win in all competitions as they started the brighter, but fell behind to a Gregoire Defrel lob.
The home side upped their game after the break and, after Mateo Kovacic had seen an overhead kick ruled out for offside, Rodrigo Palacio restored parity from a Mauro Icardi cross.
For all their pressure, though, Inter were unable to find the winner – Lukas Podolski coming closest when he powered an effort against the post.
The result lifts Inter to seventh, while a point is not enough to haul Cesena out of the relegation zone.
Beleaguered Parma's miserable season continued as they were beaten 4-1 at Sassuolo having been reduced to 10 men on the hour, while Atalanta managed to hold on for a goalless draw against Udinese after having Carlos Carmona sent off late on.
In the day's other fixture, Chievo won 2-0 at Genoa, who slip below Inter to eighth.
Roma 0 Sampdoria 2: De Silvestri, Muriel inflict rare home defeat
16 March 2015
Roma lost a Serie A match at the Stadio Olimpico for the first time this season as goals from Lorenzo De Silvestri and Luis Muriel helped Sampdoria to a 2-0 win on Monday.
Rudi Garcia's men had fallen 14 points behind leaders Juventus thanks to a run of four straight draws in the league prior to Monday's clash.
De Silvestri and Muriel struck in the second half of a game Roma largely dominated to inflict a rare home defeat, with Seydou Keita's needless dismissal and subsequent refusal to leave the pitch further souring the evening.
Garcia's men had made most of the early running, although Sampdoria produced a rare breakaway 10 minutes in, which resulted in Vasilis Torosidis being forced to clear De Silvestri's dangerous delivery.
Keita thought he had opened the scoring when he converted Alessandro Florenzi's 18th-minute free-kick, only to see his joy cut short by an offside flag.
Gervinho set up Juan Iturbe before the half hour but the Argentinean was denied by Emiliano Viviano, with the Sampdoria goalkeeper stopping a potential Vasco Regini own goal and a Gervinho strike before the break.
The onslaught continued in the second half as Francesco Totti failed to divert Florenzi's cross home with Keita perhaps in a better position behind him.
However, 14 minutes into the second half, De Silvestri's persistence saw him snaffle up a loose ball inside the area to punish slack defending.
Much of the praise should go to Alessio Romagnoli down the left and, while Roma pressed in search of an equaliser, they were again undone by a quick counter 12 minutes from time.
Muriel burst down the left and saw his effort hit the post but after Eder meandered into the box with the rebound, the ball fell kindly for Muriel who tucked away the decisive second.
Roma's outing went from bad to worse when Keita was dismissed - the former Barcelona man sarcastically applauding the referee having been booked seconds earlier for a tangle at a set-piece.
Keita refused to leave the pitch initially, loitering behind the goal, before a member of the backroom staff had to remove the Malian from the pitch.
Palermo 0 Juventus 1: Super sub Morata sinks hosts
14 March 2015
Alvaro Morata stepped off the bench to secure an off-form Juventus side a hard-earned 1-0 Serie A victory at Palermo.
The league leaders were far from their fluent best in Saturday's encounter at the Stadio Renzo Barbera, where Palermo have excelled this term.
But Morata struck in the 70th minute to hand Massimiliano Allegri's men all three points - stretching the champions' lead at the top of Serie A to 14 points over Roma, who play Sampdoria on Monday.
Juve lacked their usual attacking fluency in a first half devoid of chances, with the suspended Paul Pogba a sore loss in their midfield.
However, the visitors showed more attacking verve in the second half, Carlos Tevez seeing a well taken free-kick saved before Morata's seventh Serie A goal of the season won it.
Juve will now head to Borussia Dortmund seeking to make the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals for the second time in three seasons, with the Turin club protecting a 2-1 lead from the first leg.
They can likely ill-afford as slow a start in Germany as they had in Sicily though, Stephan Lichtsteiner firing the first shot in anger wide of the post in the 13th minute.
Tevez then tried his luck from range and Palermo goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino was left thankful that no Juve player followed in as he spilled the Argentine's effort.
Stefano Sturaro was handed a debut in the absence of Pogba and the 22-year-old was next to go close as he showed good feet to burst into the penalty area before his left-foot shot went wide.
A muted atmosphere reflected the flat nature of the match, although the home fans screamed for a penalty when Luca Rigoni ran into Giorgio Chiellini as the Italy man shepherded the ball out.
Allegri introduced Arturo Vidal for Sturaro at half-time in a bid to inject life into the midfield.
Tevez almost provided the spark in the 52nd minute with a superb 25-yard free-kick that drew a fine stop to his right from Sorrentino.
At the other end, Andrea Barzagli struggled to cope with the pace of Palermo danger man Paulo Dybala on his first start of the season- the Juve centre-back deservedly earning a yellow card with a cynical foul to stop the striker breaking free.
Morata was brought on the replace the disappointing Fernando Llorente on the hour mark.
And the former Real Madrid man made the telling contribution 10 minutes later, toying with the Palermo defence before bending his shot into the corner from the edge of the penalty area.
Palermo pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but were consigned to a first defeat in 11 league home matches as Juve displayed typical title-winning grit.
Fiorentina 2 Milan 1: Joaquin introduction aids hosts´ recovery
16 March 2015
Joaquin made his case for a starting place to Vincenzo Montella as he scored the first and assisted the second as Fiorentina struck late to beat Milan 2-1 on Monday.
The hosts had fallen behind at a sodden Stade Artemi Franchi when Mattia Destro rewarded under-pressure Filippo Inzaghi's decision to reinstate him to Milan's starting line-up.
However, winger Joaquin, introduced at half-time, helped to turn the tide for Montella's men as he produced a delightful cross for Gonzalo Rodriguez to head home seven minutes from time.
Fiorentina - missing the likes of David Pizarro, Mario Gomez, Stefan Savic and Giuseppe Rossi due to injury - looked to be tiring prior to their equaliser after a hectic run of fixtures including UEFA Europa League and Coppa Italia commitments.
However, they continued to press and were rewarded when Joaquin headed home Manuel Pasqual's delivery late on to bolster their hopes of European qualification.
Inzaghi's men were left to lament their inability to see the game out as they succumbed to late goals in back-to-back Serie A outings, with questions about the former striker's future in the Milan hotseat bound to follow.
A Milan win would have truly been a smash-and-grab effort with Fiorentina controlling much of the contest and going close early with a fierce Josip Ilicic effort six minutes in before Keisuke Honda blasted Milan's first opening at Neto.
Honda was played through on goal after some slick build-up with Jeremy Menez next to break through, only to see his shot deflected behind by Aleandro Rosi.
Jose Basanta had the best chance of the opening half-hour, crashing Ilicic's free-kick against Diego Lopez's crossbar from close range and Fiorentina continued to knock on the door when the second half eventually resumed amid torrential rain.
The lack of a quality final ball continued to hold back Vincenzo Montella's men, although substitutes Milan Badelj and Joaquin did go close to the opener before the hour mark.
Greatly against the run of play, Milan then got themselves in front when Destro diverted Giacomo Bonaventura's wayward effort past a helpless Neto following a quick break.
Destro's second goal for the San Siro club failed to halt the hosts' advances.
And incessant Fiorentina pressure finally paid off in the 83rd minute as Rodriguez rose to nod Joaquin's cross home.
Milan's misery was compounded a minute from the end of normal time as Joaquin was left free to head beyond a helpless Lopez, leaving Inzaghi clinging to his job as his side well adrift of the race for Europe.
In the fight at the top, Lazio gained a grip on the third and final UEFA Champions League spot as Felipe Anderson's double downed Torino 2-0.
Inter captain Andrea Ranocchia believes his side have no right to feel satisfied following their 1-1 Serie A draw with struggling Cesena on Sunday.
Rodrigo Palacio netted a second-half equaliser after the home side had fallen behind to a Gregoire Defrel chip, but were unable to turn periods of sustained pressure into a victory.
Nevertheless, Ranocchia remains focused on the goal of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League, and has challenged his team-mates to turn around their 3-1 UEFA Europa League deficit against Wolfsburg on Thursday.
"We can't be satisfied, we should have won today," he said. "We have to keep fighting to qualify for the Champions League, either via the league or by winning the Europa League.
"It’s going to be the match of our lives against Wolfsburg.
"We need to give everything and try not to make any mistakes."
Roberto Mancini has conceded Inter's chances of finishing in Serie A's top three are slim after another frustrating weekend.
Sunday's 1-1 draw at home to Cesena leaves Inter nine points off the UEFA Champions League places with 11 games to go. Mancini's side needed Rodrigo Palacio's goal just after the break to rescue a point at San Siro.
"With a win we would've climbed to 39 points with 11 rounds to go," Mancini told Sky Sport Italia. "Now it's going to be pretty difficult to reach third place.
"With a victory we could've had hope, but there are too many teams in front of us now.
"At the moment there's no point talking about third place and it's not even logical to do so.
"I think all players want to do better, but unfortunately this team is improving slowly and alternating good performances with negative ones. We can only work and it might take more time to improve.
"Perhaps it is my fault, I am an optimist by nature and thought we could achieve something more in less time. It's bad for our fans, as they suffer, but we are suffering too."
Under-pressure Milan coach Filippo Inzaghi is hopeful of keeping his job in the aftermath of Monday's 2-1 defeat at Fiorentina.
Inzaghi saw his side take the lead through Mattia Destro early in the second half, as Milan looked set to bounce back from disappointing draws to Chievo and Verona.
However, substitute Joaquin supplied the assist for Gonzalo Rodriguez's equaliser before scoring the crucial second to bolster his side's European aspirations.
Milan, who would have leapfrogged rivals Inter with a win, are left with plenty of work to do to ensure European football.
"I have a contract and will continue to work away quietly," Inzaghi told Sky Sport Italia.
"There have been many difficulties, but after tonight we can get back to playing good football. I go along from day to day and I hope to stay for a long time on the Milan bench.
"If they want to keep me, great, otherwise I will go ahead on my way.
"I want to this job for hopefully 30 years. It is clear that Milan is a club that has given me so much and I hope to stay as long as possible.
"I work for my future and for the future of Milan. If they will keep me great, if not I will go on my way, always head-on, with professionalism, with great desire."
Inzaghi will learn from AC Milan struggles - Montella
By Joe Wright
Mar 17, 2015 00:37:54
The Fiorentina boss had encouraging words for his under-fire counterpart and hailed his side's "Champions League spirit" after their comeback win
Filippo Inzaghi will grow as a coach as a result of his disappointing season with AC Milan, according to Fiorentina boss Vincenzo Montella.
Milan conceded twice in the last seven minutes at the Artemio Franchi to suffer a dramatic 2-1 defeat to the Viola on Monday, piling more pressure on their under-fire boss in the process.
Montella, however, believes Inzaghi will have learned from his spell in charge of the Rossoneri, irrespective of whether he escapes the sack before the end of the season.
"This experience will really help him to grow as a coach," he told Sky Sport Italia.
Turning to the match, in which Milan took the lead through Mattia Destro before goals from Gonzalo Rodriguez and Joaquin turned the game on its head, Montella hailed his side's "Champions League spirit" as they boosted their chances of a top-three finish.
He said: "We suffered from Milan's counterattacks and they could have taken the lead earlier.
"We dominated after half-time but conceded against the run of play. The goal [Gonzalo's equaliser] gave the team an important mental strength, the right spirit - the spirit with which we can aim for the Champions League.
"Joaquin did well when he came on but I liked the whole team. Everyone sacrificed themselves. Josip Ilicic was great, Aleandro Rosi played through cramp, Alberto Gilardino was exhausted. We played like a mature team and deserved the win."
Montella's side will now change their focus to the Europa League, where they meet Serie A rivals Roma in the second leg of their last-16 tie on Thursday after a 1-1 draw last week.
The veteran faced a race against time to be fit in time for the second leg on Wednesday, but his club have confirmed he will play no part in the game
Andrea Pirlo has been ruled out of the second leg of Juventus ' last-16 Champions League tie with Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.
The 35-year-old picked up a calf injury in the first leg in Turin and has not featured since, but still retained hope of winning his battle with fitness to play a part in the game.
However, the club have now confirmed the match has come too soon by releasing a statement on their official website.
"Andrea Pirlo: the ultrasound scan showed a good evolution to the healing of the wound, but not enough to make him available for the trip to Dortmund.
"The midfielder will therefore continue his rehabilitation program."
Pirlo's absence means Claudio Marchisio is likely to start alongside Arturo Vidal and Paul Pogba in the Juventus midfield.
Massimiliano Allegri's side lead 2-1 from the first leg, in which goals from Carlos Tevez and Alvaro Morata secured victory.
The coach has called on his players to "lose with dignity" after their defeat to Sampdoria but insists there is still plenty to play for this season
Rudi Garcia says Roma's Serie A season remains far from over despite their damaging 2-0 defeat to Sampdoria on Monday.
Goals from Lorenzo De Silvestri and Luis Muriel gave the visitors all three points at the Stadio Olimpico, as Roma surrendered their unbeaten home record in the league and failed to cut the 14-point gap to Juventus.
With bitter rivals Lazio now just a point behind in third, Garcia has urged his players to "lose with dignity" and get back to winning ways as soon as possible.
"Roma played football, especially in the first half, but Sampdoria took their chances and we didn't," he told Sky Sport Italia.
"Samp scored with their first opportunity thanks to our mistake on a corner. We tried to equalise, but it was difficult with 10 men, plus we only played a few days ago.
"There is no time to complain, we must lose with dignity and realise that nothing is lost yet in Serie A. We have to pick up the points we dropped in this game.
"I have always said that, as long as we create chances to score, then the team is working. We need to rediscover our scoring touch from Thursday."
Garcia, who also claimed Seydou Keita's dismissal for dissent was "entirely avoidable" admits his star players must be decisive for the rest of the season after Roma - especially Francesco Totti - missed a number of chances on Monday with the score at 0-0.
He added: "It is normal to expect a lot from talented players and we certainly have some. It means they have to settle the game when the chances come their way."
Roma face Fiorentina in the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday, with the tie hanging in the balance after a 1-1 draw last week.
Christian Maggio has closed the chapter on his career with Italy after announcing his retirement from international duty.
The Napoli defender, 33, has made 34 appearances for the national team, most recently in a 1-0 friendly defeat to Spain in March 2014.
Maggio, part of the squad that reached the Euro 2012 final, confirmed the news in a press conference on Wednesday, as Napoli prepared for their UEFA Europa League last-16 second-leg tie against Dynamo Moscow.
"It was a difficult decision for me because I have represented the national team for seven years but now I have decided to leave it," he said.
"In every football player's career comes the moment you must make these choices, the national team is a chapter closed.
"I experienced so many emotions with the national team and I thank them for all the joys of these seven years but it is a choice that I have taken after time."
Maggio's contract with Napoli expires at the end of the season, but the full-back refused to discuss any speculation surrounding his future, with rumours growing of a possible move to Inter.
"The renewal is not my priority, I just want to do well and get as far as possible in all three competitions," he added.
The Italian side, who finished sixth in Serie A last season, now face an uncertain future after legal action was taken over their perilous financial affairs
Parma have been declared bankrupt following an uncontested 10-minute court hearing on Thursday.
The Serie A side are over €100 million in debt and have twice been docked points this season for failing to pay their staff and players.
On Wednesday, club president Giampietro Manenti was arrested for alleged fraud and money laundering and now, following a bankruptcy hearing, two receivers, Angelo Anedda and Alberto Guiotto, have been charged with finding a new owner, as well as managing the club through until the end of the season.
The court ruling is just the latest in a long line of blows for Parma, who have been rock-bottom of Serie A all season long.
Indeed, Roberto Donadoni's side finished sixth in Serie A last season but were prevented from competing in the Europa League after being denied a Uefa licence due to an unpaid tax bill.
Then owner Tommaso Ghirardi was enraged by the ruling and, after refusing to pump any more money into the club, eventually sold the Gialloblu to Rezart Taci for €1 in November.
Just two months later, however, Taci offloaded his share in the club to Manenti for the same price and Parma's financial situation has only worsened in the interim.
Indeed, they were forced to cancel last month's home clash with Udinese on February 22 because they were unable to pay stewards, while their subsequent trip to Genoa was called off after the players refused to travel.
Under pressure from Serie A's TV rights holder, Sky Sport Italia, the league's 19 other clubs voted in favour of a bail-out in order to allow Parma complete their 2014-15 campaign.
However, Thursday's ruling means that Parma's future beyond the summer remains very much in doubt. As things stand, Donadoni's side are 16 points from safety, with 13 games remaining.
Bankrupt Parma rack up staggering €218million debt
19 March 2015
The full extent of Parma's financial malaise has revealed crippling debts totalling in excess of €218million after the financially stricken Serie A club were officially declared bankrupt.
It was confirmed on Thursday that the Bankruptcy Court of Parma had named Angelo Anedda and Alberto Guiotto as the club's official receivers, following the announcement the club were made bankrupt.
Parma's money troubles this season have been well documented, with the team having been hit with two separate points deductions for failing to pay players and seeing two matches postponed as they struggle to even cover matchday costs.
The court announced that Parma's total debts amounted to a staggering €218,446,754.61, while the tally owed to players is more than €74million.
Serie A and the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) have both confirmed to Perform that the league has set aside €5million as a provisional budget to allow Parma to complete the remainder of the season.
Parma's problems off the pitch - which include reports that president Giampietro Manenti had been arrested on suspicion of money laundering earlier this week - have been replicated on it with team winning just three league matches all season.
