[00]Spalletti:

[dukeofdavinci]

Spalletti: Totti will save us Friday 10 October, 2008

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Roma boss Luciano Spalletti believes the return of Francesco Totti will inspire the Giallorossi to escape their current crisis.

Last year's runners-up have suffered a dismal start to the season and find themselves trapped in the bottom half of the table.

The capital club have looked short of ideas and confidence without captain Totti but Er Pupone could return for the epic battle against Inter after the international break.

“The fans need to stay calm because you will see the old Roma again,” Spalletti promised in the Corriere dello Sport.

“We still need a little bit of time but Totti will return and make the difference.

“We have been hit by injuries so far to players like Simone Perrotta, Max Tonetto, Rodrigo Taddei and Alexander Doni.

“Inter do seem to be superior to everyone else, but we are ready to start fighting like we did last time around.”

not exactly the right choice of words the boss needs to say, also im not sure it will send the right message to the whole squad.

i mean yes he is one of our backbones but as we all know roma is a united TEAM, so every individual is important.also we dont want to put too much pressure on il capitano.

[dukeofdavinci]

Spalletti's Inter turning point Saturday 18 October, 2008

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Luciano Spalletti insists the match with Inter can be “a turning point” in Roma’s campaign, but refuses to reveal his plans for Francesco Totti.

The captain has been out of action for a month and is back in the squad for Sunday night’s clash at the Olimpico.


“I need time to think about it. I have seen Francesco has improved a great deal, he is fired up and that is crucial. He has something more than the other players and can give the team a real hand,” said Spalletti.


“Inter have absolutely nothing more than Roma at the moment. Our side showed all its worth in some big games and I am convinced our players know how hard they fought to get here, so they can’t be happy with the current results.


“I am sure we have everything we need to win this match. I can see this as the turning point for our season, giving a practical response to the critics on the pitch.


“I’m sure it will be an entertaining spectacle and that enthusiasm can give a great deal to these players for the future.”


They have slipped down to 14th place following a 1-0 defeat at Siena and need to get back on track.


“We still have to improve the consistency of our football and not just wait for an individual moment of magic.


“I don’t think Inter have changed much with Jose Mourinho in charge. I think Roberto Mancini focused more on character and creative attacks, whereas Mourinho focuses more on the overall balance of the side.”


Spalletti must adjust his side, as Philippe Mexes and Christian Panucci are suspended, joined by the injured Julio Baptista and Marco Cassetti.


“Philippe immediately understood he had made a mistake,” said the Coach after Mexes was sent off for dissent.


“He has a particular character, but he can see when he creates complications for himself and the team. I hope he got the message.


“Juan and Simone Loria are part of our squad and we consider them up to the task. Juan is, after all, the first choice centre-back for the Brazil squad.”


It is going to be a very tough week on Spalletti, as Roma welcome Inter and then travel to Chelsea in the Champions League on Wednesday.

turning or not we need that 3 pts not just to catch up in the league but as confidence booster for the blues game.

[dukeofdavinci]

Spalletti bemoans "harsh" result Sunday 19 October, 2008

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Luciano Spalletti insists the 4-0 demolition was “an unfair result” on Roma, but warned they must look for consistency rather than quality now.

“Clearly the match was decided by a couple of distractions and Inter know how to keep hold of a result. It seems a very harsh scoreline to me, as we had chances and did not take them, whereas our opponents were more clinical,” said the Coach.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic sprung the offside trap thanks to Cicinho's error just five minutes in and doubled the advantage 90 seconds after the restart.

“The second goal was similar to the first, as we should have been more concentrated, otherwise players of this level will punish you.

“When people talk of focus and consistency throughout a match, that is what we are lacking right now. Inter are in great shape, determined and battling, you can see the way they all move and fight for every ball to spark counter-attacks.

“Tonight both teams were fairly stretched out and based on quick end-to-end moves. When you go through a tough time, it becomes even more difficult to take your chances and translate pressure into a goal.

“Positive results improve your psychological approach and that can lead to goals you don't expect, as everything starts to go your way.”

Francesco Totti made his comeback after a month out and played for an hour, but could not turn the tide.

“Totti did well and is in decent shape, but clearly we all need more consistency and solidity. One tries to look at the positives, although if they happen repeatedly then obviously one has to also point out the defects so the team can work on cancelling them out.”

Roma are now nine points off leaders Inter and just four points clear of the relegation zone with a very tough Champions League trip to Chelsea coming up.

“In clubs like ours where football is such a passionate sport and after three successful years, there is bound to be a bit of a backlash and we must deal with that. It is important not to dwell on the negatives,” continued Spalletti.

“We were lacking balance. Clearly we had to push forward and raise the tempo after going behind so early, but Inter were attentive and tried to take advantage by hitting us on the break. We had chances to equalise too, but these were risks we had to take.”

The Giallorossi only lost four Serie A games last season, but after seven rounds they have already picked up four defeats.

“You always learn something from a defeat and try to fix the problems and bring out the qualities that were lacking. Quality and aesthetics have to take a back seat in these situations and the focus turns to consistency.”

exactly, but the consistency issue has been plaguing us for seasons now and some how this time it has been more evident when we are clearly lacking depth in some ares.

[dukeofdavinci]

Spalletti: We're doing our best
Saturday 25 October, 2008
Luciano Spalletti sees an improvement in Roma’s performance, but knows points mean everything against Udinese.

“We are going to Udine in order to win and bring home three points with hard work, substance and determination,” said the Coach.

“We are very unhappy to be going through this negative period. We know how much our fans care about the squad and so we feel the weight of their passion that we have so far been unable to reward. I personally am sorry, but I don’t know what else to do other than give it 100 per cent.”

The Giallorossi are in dire straits after two defeats in the last week against Inter and Chelsea, leaving them nine points off the Serie A leadership.

With a tricky trip to second-placed Udinese on Sunday, that gap could potentially grow even further.

“There were differences in our approach between the Inter and Chelsea games, as we focused on what elements we need to improve. It is only natural one cannot be precise on everything, but I think the team is on the right track to recovery.”

Francesco Totti’s return to fitness has boosted the squad, but Spalletti will not hear of a squad unable to function without its captain.

“It is wrong to put so much responsibility on one man in this difficult time. A leader steps up to the plate when needed and Totti is trying to do that.”

David Pizarro is also expected to return against his former club after missing the Chelsea game with a sprained ankle.

Christian Panucci’s ban has expired, but Philippe Mexes remains suspended for another two rounds after his appeal was rejected

fheww gald some one got the message.come on lads lets go on get the points we need.

[dukeofdavinci]

Spalletti: I'm not a quitter Tuesday 28 October, 2008

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Luciano Spalletti takes the blame for Roma’s dismal campaign. “I never thought about resigning, but if the club asks me to…”

Last season’s Scudetto contenders are currently just one point clear of the relegation zone after their worst Serie A start in 24 years.


“I never thought of quitting because I love my work too much,” assured the Coach during his Press conference.


“When I won’t feel like that any more, then I will. If the club asks me to resign, then that is another matter.


“I never asked for special treatment or improved contracts when I was winning regularly, so I am indebted to nobody. I just continue my work in a professional manner.”


A meeting with President Rosella Sensi today reaffirmed her faith in Spalletti’s ability to turn the situation around against Sampdoria.


“Those in charge always take more of the blame and so I have the bigger share of responsibility, being the one who works most closely with the players,” continued the tactician.


“I spoke to Sensi and, as always, she was very kind and tried to give me the necessary trust to overcome this moment. It was a positive meeting and a pleasure.


“I am sure I can take Roma out of this mess and so are the players. We just need a bit of luck to go our way for once.”


A group of fans were not so reassuring when they staged a protest at the Trigoria training ground, as the popular ‘Boys’ group pinned up a banner that read ‘Squad and club without grit or dignity.’


“We care about our fans and respect them a great deal, which is why we stopped to talk with them at the airport on Sunday. However, right now we must defend with all our strength everything we have worked for and created in these years.”


Spalletti has to start getting results quickly and faces a tricky test on Wednesday night when Antonio Cassano’s Sampdoria come to the Olimpico.


This is arguably their easiest encounter of the next week, as Roma will run into showdowns with Juventus on Saturday and then Chelsea in the Champions League.


To best prepare, President Sensi ordered the entire squad into a pre-match ‘ritiro’ where the players and Coach stay overnight at the training ground to regain concentration.


“We absolutely need to fix some things and pick up the three points. In the position we are in, there are three crucial games coming up and I need to see the same team spirit we’ve had over the past couple of days.


“The ritiro gave us the opportunity to face our issues in more depth. The lads are doing what I ask of them and are the first to realise the situation we are in.”


Mirko Vucinic, Alberto Aquilani, Marco Cassetti and Julio Baptista are all out thanks to muscular problems, while Philippe Mexes continues his three-match ban. Although Francesco Totti has played the last three games, his knee problem is not entirely healed.


“We are between a rock and a hard place,” sighed Spalletti. “Totti needs to train because we have seen what he can do when he has been working for just a week, but if he plays too much then the knee becomes inflamed. We have to deal with the situation very carefully.”

note on the bold sentence.pretty much true.

[dukeofdavinci]

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Spalletti enjoys post-derby calm Thursday 20 November, 2008

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Luciano Spalletti feels last weekend's derby win has given his Roma side the tranquillity they need to prepare for their trip to Lecce.

Last season's Serie A runners-up made a dismal start to the season, but they are hoping to return to the top half of the table after last Sunday's triumph over Lazio.

The pressure on Spalletti has decreased with victory over the Biancocelesti, but Roma must now continue their resurgence against dangerous minnows Lecce.

“We are working much better and there is more of a calm atmosphere,” Spalletti said in the Corriere dello Sport.

“I have always said that when there is tranquillity the players' qualities come through.

“I changed the formation around for the Lazio game because I trusted the team.

“The result showed that we can play well and get results if we made the necessary modifications.

“If we pack the midfield we can gain many advantages and keep improving.

“We are still not working at our capacity and there is much better to come.”

calm and tranquility is what we need, no point panicking..forza roma!!

[dukeofdavinci]

Spalletti: The crisis is over Wednesday 26 November, 2008

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Roma had a disastrous start, but could win the Champions League group as Luciano Spalletti declares “the crisis is over.”

The Giallorossi lost their opening game to Cluj at the Olimpico, but took revenge winning 3-1 in Romania this evening for their second consecutive Euro win.

“I always said my team had more quality and now they are proving it. I am happy with the way we are going,” smiled the Coach.

“Cluj are talented and have good technique. We ran hard and put in quality, so a team that plays like that deserves to win. We made a few mistakes, but also had chances to extend our advantage.

Matteo Brighi had never scored in this competition before, but bagged a brace around Francesco Totti's sublime free kick.

“Brighi is doing very well and tonight he didn't just cut off their full-back, but also pushed forward a dozen times. That shows in what great physical and psychological shape the lad is in right now.”

With Chelsea's 1-1 draw at Bordeaux this evening, Roma will mathematically top the group if they beat the French outfit at the Olimpico in the final game.

A point will be enough to qualify for the knockouts, but at the same time a defeat to Yoann Gourcuff's Bordeaux will knock the Giallorossi out.

“It depends on what way you look at it. I am happy with the situation, as I like the team to play with open football and this gives us the opportunity to top the group.

“In fairness, qualifying in first place didn't exactly give teams much of a bonus last season, but having said that we'd be very happy to be there anyway!

“I think it's safe to say our crisis is over and the quality of the team has shone through. The city has an atmosphere where it's easy to get over-enthusiastic, so we have to keep our feet on the ground,” added Spalletti.

“I saw some fine passing in midfield and between [Simone] Perrotta, Totti and [Julio] Baptista tonight. We have room for improvement.”

thus far we are in good shape mentally and physically.lets not let our guard down and secure the win we need against Bordeaux