Luciano Spalletti hailed Roma’s “performance and mentality” after a 3-1 victory at Empoli, their sixth in a row.
“It was a great performance, a necessary one against a very strong side that knows how to play the ball. Having allowed Empoli very little and scoring three goals proves the strength of our performance and the mentality,” he told Mediaset Premium.
Luciano Spalletti hailed Roma’s “performance and mentality” after a 3-1 victory at Empoli, their sixth in a row.
“It was a great performance, a necessary one against a very strong side that knows how to play the ball. Having allowed Empoli very little and scoring three goals proves the strength of our performance and the mentality,” he told Mediaset Premium.
“We’ve already played with this system and there are things to improve, as always. The fact that so many players are ready when called upon, not sitting dead on the bench, is what makes a great team.”
The False 9 system was rather forced upon Spalletti, as Edin Dzeko, Alessandro Florenzi and Kostas Manolas had flu.
“In tactical terms we locked in with Empoli’s diamond, taking the ball off them, but they did well to keep it anyway. If Dzeko had played then he could hold the ball up, but with the others we have to manoeuvre it around. It would’ve been easier with Dzeko as a reference point.
“I wanted to put Francesco Totti on as the final substitute, but we went too deep and couldn’t get out of our own half. I am the first to feel bad about what happened.
“It is also a great result to see 5,000 fans at an away match packing the stands. I hope that the situation at the Olimpico can be sorted out, because we are stronger with our supporters.”
Since Spalletti took over from Rudi Garcia, Roma notched up a remarkable six consecutive Serie A victories.
“The minds of the players are fundamental, so if you make them understand and motivate their mentality, you can get results immediately. We didn’t achieve that, putting in two poor performances against Verona and Juve, but we got there in the end.”
Spalletti was caught on camera sticking his tongue out after being told off by the referee.
“It was for a friend of mine sat behind the bench.”
Real Madrid lost 1-0 to Atletico Madrid today in the Liga, so can the Giallorossi take advantage by overturning a 2-0 first leg Champions League defeat?
“After the first result it’s practically impossible. That game made us realise we can go and challenge them, because we could’ve scored two goals. We will certainly go there to play our game.”