Luciano Spalletti warned Roma must “control our emotions” against Lazio and so must fans when asking for Francesco Totti.
The Derby della Capitale kicks off on Sunday at 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT), click here for a match preview.
“The only unavailable players are William Vainqueur, who has an adductor problem, and Norbert Gyomber,” announced the Coach in his Press conference.
Luciano Spalletti warned Roma must “control our emotions” against Lazio and so must fans when asking for Francesco Totti.
The Derby della Capitale kicks off on Sunday at 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT), click here for a match preview.
“The only unavailable players are William Vainqueur, who has an adductor problem, and Norbert Gyomber,” announced the Coach in his Press conference.
This will be Spalletti’s first Rome Derby since he left the club seven years ago.
“It is a very special game and the passion around the team and match does sweep you up in it. However, we have other objectives too and must do well to control our emotions.
“I’d have liked to play on level terms, so with Lazio having other objectives to focus on at this stage of the season. I hear people talk of current form, but I would’ve liked the Biancocelesti to have other reasons to play. As things stand, we are their only reason for existence.”
Totti is bound to go into his final Derby della Capitale, so will he get to feature? A poll result overwhelmingly suggested fans wanted to see him start.
“I’d love to see him play with the captain’s armband, of course, but there are other polls you could have. We could ask if we want the older commentators back for Italy games at Euro 2016…
“It is right that Totti plays, as he has done such great things in the derby, but as a Coach I have to push past the emotions of the sport and consider other things. I hope to do that in the right way because this is an important match and result for the objectives we have – the Champions League.
“When you analyse a game, there are two different stories that you can see through the filter of the heart, with emotion and passion.
“Totti will always have a great moment of football on the field, if it was up to that he could play another five or six years. His foot remains marvellous.
“There are other things to be considered, though. He scored two goals against Lazio last year, but did Roma go 2-0 down in the first place because the team lacked a player who covered spaces and tracked back? Who can say?
“A team has to win back the ball as quickly as possible, otherwise you have to run without the ball and that is the most difficult thing for any player in a match. Chasing opponents around is totally different to running into spaces by your own volition.
“I had the team play a game between ranks so I got statistics that cannot be argued with. I have to include those numbers in my decision.
“Obviously, I cannot quantify the ability to see the pass behind the defender that nobody else can. In my view, Totti is a passionate player, one who when he steps on to the pitch can just whack it into the top corner. That is his strength, his quality, his precision. There’s not much of a preamble.
“He wants to have contact with the ball and the goal.”