Roma’s Luciano Spalletti won't settle for a dignified exit against Real Madrid – “I wouldn’t even Coach anyone who thinks like that”.
The Giallorossi are trailing 2-0 from the first leg of the Champions League Last 16, and the tactician was asked whether the fans accept a proud performance tomorrow, even if they go out.
“I think that’s the wrong position, we have to send clear messages to the team,” Spalletti insisted in his pre-match Press conference.
Roma’s Luciano Spalletti won't settle for a dignified exit against Real Madrid – “I wouldn’t even Coach anyone who thinks like that”.
The Giallorossi are trailing 2-0 from the first leg of the Champions League Last 16, and the tactician was asked whether the fans accept a proud performance tomorrow, even if they go out.
“I think that’s the wrong position, we have to send clear messages to the team,” Spalletti insisted in his pre-match Press conference.
“Everyone who does this job is very demanding, I always ask the impossible of my team. When I look at the squad I have available, it seems I can ask for more.
“After that we’ll see what happens in the game, but we can’t have the weakness of thinking we can play to lose, I wouldn't even Coach anyone who thinks like that.
“Our approach? We have to play the ball on the deck more, if you give the ball to Real it all becomes more difficult.
“Real Madrid will adapt in their own way, but we can’t only think about adapting to them.
“We’ll try to do that, but we must have the courage to play our game. It’s easy to say, but we’ve emphasised that aspect in training and we have players who can retain the ball.”
Spalletti then discussed some of Real Madrid’s star men, with Cristiano Ronaldo on a goalscoring streak and Gareth Bale set to return.
“Ronaldo’s function isn’t just to score streaks of goals, he’s a player with great quality. We have to force something, because the result from the first leg penalises us.
“We were unlucky in the details, we’re coming here to play this game like the previous one.
“We have to play our game, but if attacking means giving your opponent space and [the defence] always playing on the halfway line? We can’t do that, we have to choose our moments, knowing when to force the issue and when to wait.
“We have to be convinced and play like we did in the first leg. We lost 2-0, but when I think about the chances [Stephan] El Shaarawy had and four or five others, it could have been reversed.
“We played the game in the right way, and belief can make all the difference in those moments. The memory of what we can offer will give us even more confidence.
“Bale can do everything, he can help the team and hit on the break, as well as score with his head or feet.
“It’s easy to compliment him, but if I have to dish out praise prefer to praise my players and not their opponents.”
Eight years ago, Spalletti’s team eliminated Los Merengues at the Bernabeu, but the tactician doesn’t believe that’s relevant for tomorrow.
“They’re different situations,” Spalletti shrugged.
“It’s nice to be reminded of it, but there aren’t many players left from last time.
“That team had played together for a long time, that Roma had a few years of substance. Team team has been improving for nine matches.
“I'm more interested in thinking about this team.”