[D-Kin]

Spalletti: We don't fear Real Thursday 14 February, 2008

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Roma Coach Luciano Spalletti is expecting a tough battle against Real Madrid next Tuesday, but he doesn’t see his team as outsiders.

The Giallorossi eased into the last 16 by finishing second to Manchester United in Group F, but must now negotiate the Spanish champions.

The tension is rising with players from both sides stressing their confidence, but Spalletti is keeping is cool.

“Fear is too strong a word. We respect Real 100 per cent, but there isn’t any fear,” the Tuscan tactician insisted to Spanish newspaper Marca.

“This is a crucial time for us and it will be really good to take on Real in a competition like the Champions League.

“They are a side who will require a greater intensity and focus than any other opponents, but if we manage to play as a team we have a good chance to achieve something big.”

Much of the build-up in Spain has centred on Francesco Totti and there have been suggestions that the Eternal City outfit are too dependent on their talismanic leader.

“It’s not just about Totti,” Spalletti maintained. “He is the captain and a top player, but he is only as important as the others.”

Spalletti concluded by discarding the underdogs tag that he feels in inaccurate.

“It is undeniable that Madrid have more experience and are more used to these kind of games than we are, but we will be so motivated. There are no favourites in this one,” he said.

Roma’s first priority is to get a positive result against Juventus in Turin this Saturday in Serie A’s Week 23 crunch match.

channel4.com - Football Italia