Luis Enrique has Francesco Totti back in the Roma squad, but warns “if we don’t play at 100 per cent, Lecce can win at the Olimpico.”
The Giallorossi have been incredibly inconsistent this season, losing three of their last five games.
Luis Enrique has Francesco Totti back in the Roma squad, but warns “if we don’t play at 100 per cent, Lecce can win at the Olimpico.”
The Giallorossi have been incredibly inconsistent this season, losing three of their last five games.
“Totti has recovered and can play from the start, which is lucky for us. Can Totti play alongside Erik Lamela? All situations are possible. Totti played many times as a centre-forward, though I think his natural position is trequartista.
“Do I have a basic Roma team? There are four or five players who more or less play all the time, plus others who rotate.
“The players must get used to what I am asking for and not just know what I want, but how they have to do it. There are important details we still haven’t finalised yet.
“I expect a difficult game and if we don’t show a hunger for success, then we’ll suffer a great deal. Lecce have interesting and dangerous players like Cuadrado, Carlos Grossmuller, Ruben Olivera and Andrea Bertolacci.
“I expect three points against Lecce if we all give 100 per cent. If we don’t, then Lecce can win at the Olimpico. We are not one of those teams who can give 50 per cent and still win. If we don’t keep possession, attack space with vertical passes and mark our opponents, then of course Lecce can win.”
Nicolas Burdisso is out for six months after snapping knee ligaments while on international duty with Argentina this week.
“It is such a shame, as he is a leader of this squad,” continued Luis Enrique. “Unfortunately these things happen when you least expect them. We are ready to go forward and wish him a speedy recovery, as we’ll be waiting for him when he returns.
“This is a large squad and we are capable of covering for Burdisso.”