Luciano Spalletti urges his Roma players to “not think about the result” ahead of Real Madrid.
The Lupi are 2-0 down to the Spanish giants after the first leg of their Champions League Last 16 tie, so must score at least twice at the Bernabeu tomorrow.
“It’s important that the players know that everything depends on the effort we put in on the pitch,” Spalletti told reporters in his pre-match Press conference.
Luciano Spalletti urges his Roma players to “not think about the result” ahead of Real Madrid.
The Lupi are 2-0 down to the Spanish giants after the first leg of their Champions League Last 16 tie, so must score at least twice at the Bernabeu tomorrow.
“It’s important that the players know that everything depends on the effort we put in on the pitch,” Spalletti told reporters in his pre-match Press conference.
“The first result penalises us, but must not think about the result, if all the talk is about having to score three goals it becomes difficult.
“In football other things can have an influence, fundamental psychological things have an effect. If we can get a goal, then the game becomes different in our heads.
“We score one goal, then we have to get another goal. They have the ability to stay balanced with the result from the first leg.”
Spalletti was then asked if Edin Dzeko is likely to start, with the Bosnian having been benched for the first game.
“He’s doing his work in the right way. I made some choices and they were down to me, not his performances. The team played good football, so the choices weren’t totally wrong.
“He has different characteristics from the recent tactical choices. Thinking about this match and the advantage that Real Madrid have, Dzeko has more chance of helping us given what our approach will be.
“There’s only one way for him: to show me he can do more. It’s possible that he’ll play from the start, because there’s more to do in terms of trying to penetrate their defence.
“Dzeko has the characteristics to force situations.”