Luciano Spalletti said Giovanni Martusciello is “the best Coach Empoli could have” and hopes Roma can find some consistency.
It kicks off tomorrow at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“Bruno Peres and Diego Perotti return with us today. The enormous loss is that we’ll be without Alessandro Florenzi,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
Luciano Spalletti said Giovanni Martusciello is “the best Coach Empoli could have” and hopes Roma can find some consistency.
It kicks off tomorrow at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“Bruno Peres and Diego Perotti return with us today. The enormous loss is that we’ll be without Alessandro Florenzi,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
“Today we need to see how Antonio Rudiger reacts to the training sessions, but we could risk him from the start tomorrow. It’s a risk because we don’t know how he’ll hold out over 90 minutes, but he is ready to be in the starting XI.
“I consider Giovanni Martusciello the best Coach Empoli could have. I knew him as a player and he has such character, a real solid head on his shoulders.
“He has been at Empoli for all these years and they regularly secured safety well in advance, whereas that pressure can build up on a club like this. He’s not going through a great moment right now, but you can see that he’s continuing the work his squad has been doing for years.
“Empoli have been unlucky recently, as they kept Napoli in the balance and forced Pepe Reina into some big saves, so we’ll face a very difficult opponent. As time goes on, Empoli players will grow and improve, because I know them well.
“Some of their stars left over the summer, but the replacements will give everything to prove themselves. There are many dangers for us here.”
Spalletti was asked what percentage of their potential the Giallorossi were at right now, even with the injuries.
“It’s not easy to say. Every now and then we have these peaks and troughs that nobody expects. Antonello Venditti, who wrote our anthem Grazie Roma, also had another song with the lyrics: ‘Just when you think it’s finished, that’s when the climb begins again.’ Well, that’s Roma!
“We are in good shape right now and hope to maintain this solidity, intensity and concentration. What really pleases me is that the team understood if we continue like this, we’ll receive what we always received – nothing.
“If you do the same thing many times and expect a different outcome, you’ll be sorely disappointed. Now the team is ready to try something different.”
There will be a rugby match between Italy and New Zealand at the Stadio Olimpico in November and the controversial barriers in the Curva Sud will be removed, only to be put back for football games.
“I think that is the perfect opportunity to leave the barriers out. Why not put your faith in the Roma fans and give them the benefit of the doubt for one game? At Sassuolo there were no barriers and there was no trouble there.
“I think having our crowd there contributes more than just a couple of points per season. Our fans have such passion and the team absorbs it all. It would be fundamental to have them with us if we are to push forward and have a strong campaign. We want our fans. Let them be with us.”
Roma have appointed a new director, ex-Milan figure Umberto Gandini.
“I had already seen him on television and he seemed a very balanced, calm figure and a great professional. Meeting him, all of that was confirmed. He’s an important addition for us.”