Roma Coach Luciano Spalletti admits Francesco Totti “deserved to play more yesterday” against Napoli.
The Giallorossi captain came off the bench once again, and though he didn’t manage a goal or an assist, his pass was key in Radja Nainggolan’s late winner.
“Yesterday he deserved to play more,” Spalletti acknowledged on Roma Radio.
“But then there were some situations which happened… When he did come on he did very well, he lifted others with his qualities.
Roma Coach Luciano Spalletti admits Francesco Totti “deserved to play more yesterday” against Napoli.
The Giallorossi captain came off the bench once again, and though he didn’t manage a goal or an assist, his pass was key in Radja Nainggolan’s late winner.
“Yesterday he deserved to play more,” Spalletti acknowledged on Roma Radio.
“But then there were some situations which happened… When he did come on he did very well, he lifted others with his qualities.
“There were two or three counter-attacks which started with him on the ball, the tempo wasn’t very high so that made it easier for him.
“That was the game though, and he gave his contribution just as it should be. The one that [Mohamed] Salah gave [to Nainggolan] began from another important pass by Totti.”
Coaches aren’t always known for praising referees, but Spalletti did just that when discussing Daniele Orsato.
“Yesterday we had all international level officials. Di Liberatore was exceptional on the [Jose] Callejon offside.
“That’s where you see the quality of our referees. We have the best in Italy, there’s not much more to do.
“I’ve said many times, Orsato doesn’t anything to anyone. I met him with Zenit and he gave a penalty against me and a red card in the 90th minute and we lost the game.
“It was the right decision.”
The Coach was then asked about yesterday’s match, and he was particularly pleased with the winning goal.
“Am I more hopeful or regretful?” Spalletti pondered.
“It depends what we’re targeting. We’ve dropped some points in some winnable games, but we’ve brought home some difficult wins on the road.
“I think it’s right that we go forward [and aim for second], we’ll do our best even if it’s difficult.
“Napoli’s chances yesterday? I’d include our chances too, because otherwise it looks like we stole the game which isn’t what happened.
“First of all it was a great game played at a high tempo by two teams who are good in both phases. It was always very tight, with a number of players around the ball, creating density in defence.
“[Wojchiech] Szczesny made two big saves, on [Gonzalo] Higuain and where he realised it would be a foul and cleared the ball with his feet.
“But in the first half we had Salah in twice, then Maicon in the second half and those were big chances.
“The goal was worthy of celebration. The breakdown of their attack was thanks to Salah, who came deep and broke up their play, then there were 25 or 26 consecutive passes before Totti played it in for [Miralem] Panic on the byline, who worked it back well for Salah who then found the onrushing Nainggolan.
“To have five players in the opposition box in the 90th minute is a question of mentality. You don’t often get a goal after 27 passes.”