Roma Coach Rudi Garcia says his team have ‘great ambitions’, but stops short of targeting the Scudetto.
The Giallorossi boss declared last season that his side would win the title, only to see them fall 17 points short of Juventus.
Following that disappointment, the French tactician has named Champions League qualification as the target for this season.
Roma Coach Rudi Garcia says his team have ‘great ambitions’, but stops short of targeting the Scudetto.
The Giallorossi boss declared last season that his side would win the title, only to see them fall 17 points short of Juventus.
Following that disappointment, the French tactician has named Champions League qualification as the target for this season.
“The summer games can be considered separately because the teams weren't at 100 per cent, but they're experiences that can help us improve,” Garcia said in his first pre-match Press conference of the season.
“That's why we chose to finish our preparations against Sevilla, a tough team who won the Europa League.
“Now we're getting into the meat of things, the point in which games really count and there are always three points to be picked up.
“Though we don't know our level as we walk into the first game of the season, we're not short of ambition.
“We're focused on this game alone. I want my whole group to keep their levels of concentration steady because the first game is always important.
“Tomorrow we have to play ambitiously. Verona have some qualities in the way they play the game, we must be good to counter them and do everything we can to impose our own.
“As for the championship, we always have great ambitions.
“I came to Rome to win some titles and we're going to do everything possible to do just that, though the primary objective is still qualifying for the Champions League.
“I've been here two years and this season I see a lot of promises, enthusiasm and conviction.
“I ask everyone – the players, the Coaches, the club – to play together, and I ask the supporters to work together with us too.
“When we all work together we do the best for Roma. We proved this over the last two years.
“I came in a difficult context. We did extremely well in the first year while we underwent some trouble in the second half of last season, but our derby showed we can draw some good things even from difficulty.
“I say this because I know the environment now and I understand there could be a bit of pessimism, perhaps because the club didn't have the history they deserved.
“I'll repeat my appeal to the supporters, there could be some tough times ahead but if we stay together we'll be stronger.
“Rome's history confirms that. We're in the most prestigious city in the world and her destiny is to win.
“It starts from me, I have to be worthy of Roma's destiny.”