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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.” |
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发表于 2008-10-29 09:38:17
发表于 2008-10-29 18:59:37
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