Luciano Spalletti became irritated by questions on Francesco Totti, accusing reporters of “using him to break Roma” and threatening to quit if the captain does.

Totti made his first appearance of the season last Sunday, coming off the bench to provide an assist and convert a penalty in the 3-2 victory over Sampdoria.

“I still have the same ideas on him, I am not changing the way I use him,” Spalletti said in his Press conference.

Luciano Spalletti became irritated by questions on Francesco Totti, accusing reporters of “using him to break Roma” and threatening to quit if the captain does.

Totti made his first appearance of the season last Sunday, coming off the bench to provide an assist and convert a penalty in the 3-2 victory over Sampdoria.

“I still have the same ideas on him, I am not changing the way I use him,” Spalletti said in his Press conference.

“Unfortunately Francesco is used in the wrong way and he can sense it too that this is against his will. I don’t want to take anything away from Totti.

“I arrived, spoke clearly with him and the team started doing well, he was coming back from an injury. I continued seeking other reference points.

“You are only interested in Totti. You are using him to break Roma. I don’t hear good comments on anyone or anything, the club or those around us. Is there one thing you actually like about Roma?

“(President James) Pallotta has worked hard to invest on solid things that will remain even beyond the players. Do we want to write about that?

“I have to spread Totti’s way of seeing football. He gave us a key contribution last season and helped us to reach the Champions League play-offs.

“Francesco is extraordinary, but Roma will win nothing if it’s just Francesco. He has won many things, but not on his own. Nobody can do it on their own.

“The passion of sports fans should not be mixed up with other things. It’s only right they feel as passionately as they do, it is our duty to make them feel enthusiastic with our behaviour.

“But Roma have to be other things too. I have nothing against Francesco, quite the opposite. I started saying in the first interview of the season that this would not be his last campaign. The pitch will tell us whether that’s the case or not, but you are trying to put responsibility on me that I do not have.

“I can even say that I will continue being a Roma Coach as long as Totti is here, that if he stops then so will I. I only have a contract for this year, after all, and if I don’t get results then I clearly need to find another job. Would you agree?”

The reporter noted: ‘I leave the response to you.’

“You want me to take a drastic position,” snapped Spalletti. “Nobody recognised the merits of the squad for that comeback against Sampdoria, they only gave credit to Totti.

“The points record in half a season was done by the team. How’s this, then? If Totti continues playing next season then I will still be the Coach of Roma. On the contrary, I won’t be here.”

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