Roma manager Luciano Spalletti spoke today ahead of tomorrow’s match against Toro, here is an excerpt of his words:
“Turnover? When I said we were going to make a few changes I meant generally in this period, not against Torino specifically. Obviously we will change a few things around based on how many minutes people have clocked up. The lads who have been playing more regularly are less likely to struggle with fatigue.
“Differences from the first meeting with Toro?Our first leg result does change things a little but we have an excellent squad here and I’m starting to see what I wanted from them from the start. This team is capable of going all the way in every competition and demonstrating just how good they are. We won’t be able to say things like, ‘We weren’t at our best in that game because we were missing two or three players.’ We don’t need anything extra. We just have to perform well in every single game.”
“Villarreal? I’m disappointed when my players don’t perform to the best of their ability because it means I wasn’t able to instil in them enough belief in their ability. Not many Italian teams have gone and won 4-0 away from home in Europe, pushing on for more goals at 2-0. That’s the sort of attitude you need in competitions like this. As a manager you sometimes look for the right words to give your players a bit of extra motivation and sometimes it doesn’t comes out naturally. I don’t say anything to my players anymore. I’m serious.”
“We have a very strong team. They just need to get used to playing the same way no matter where we are. If you have the chance to put one foot in the next round, you have to go for it. We’re not through yet though, because Villarreal are a very good side. And if anyone thinks the return leg will be a walk in the park they’re very wrong. Villarreal kept Barcelona and Sevilla quiet. It was an excellent Roma performance and we should recognise that the lads played well but they have to keep putting in the work, otherwise your opponents will show you the work you should have put in.”
