Roma director Francesco Totti gave more details on Eusebio Di Francesco’s change of system against Porto and Federico Fazio's absence. “We hope it’s the right decision.”
The second leg of the Champions League Round of 16 kicks off at 20.00 GMT at the Estadio Do Dragao.
Click here for the line-ups and LIVEBLOG.
Roma director Francesco Totti gave more details on Eusebio Di Francesco’s change of system against Porto and Federico Fazio's absence. “We hope it’s the right decision.”
The second leg of the Champions League Round of 16 kicks off at 20.00 GMT at the Estadio Do Dragao.
Click here for the line-ups and LIVEBLOG.
“The Coach made this decision and we respect it. We hope it is the right one,” Totti told Roma TV and Sky Sport Italia.
“He has tried to put out the best available team for this game. Federico Fazio had a slight muscular issue after the derby. We thought it best not to risk him.
“The Coach chose this new system, 3-5-2, which can also be a 4-4-2 or a 3-4-2-1 as the game progresses, and he’ll adjust it as needs be.
“I spend a lot of time next to Di Francesco, I know the adrenaline with which he is preparing for this match. We are right behind him and will do what we can to ensure he can do his work.
“I don’t defend Di Francesco because he is a friend or my teammate for many years. I defend him because he is my Coach and I represent Roma now as a director.
“We’ll try to put everything we’ve got on to that pitch tonight. This is in or out. We’ve got to shelve the derby now. Our opponents played better and now we have this game, which is more important than the derby.
“We have the chance to go through with a win or a draw, so that is an advantage, but can also be negative. We’ve got to focus on taking the initiative and not waiting for the other team to push forward. We’ve got to score as soon as possible and if we don’t concede, then we are qualified.”