Roma boss alive to Group A pitfalls
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Article summary
Playing the final on home soil is a dream for AS Roma, but coach Luciano Spalletti knows his side must contend with plenty of "hidden mantraps" in Group A, starting with their opening game against CFR 1907 Cluj.
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'How difficult'
With this season's UEFA Champions League final being held at the Stadio Olimpico, Roma have extra impetus to reach the last hurdle. Spalletti, however, acknowledges that the road to Rome is a rocky one. He told uefa.com that potentially playing the final in the Italian capital will be "added incentive, extra motivation to do well" but conceded: "We know how difficult it is to get that far in this competition."
English luck
Roma's only trip to a European Champion Clubs' Cup final came when they lost on penalties to Liverpool FC in the second Stadio Olimpico final in 1984. The nearest they have come since was getting to the quarter-finals in the last two seasons, coming unstuck against Manchester United FC on each occasion. Given their luck against English opponents, Spalletti will know Chelsea FC are the toughest of their Group A rivals, though not the only ones.
'We should win'
The Giallorossi kick off at home to Romanian double winners CFR on Tuesday, with the onus of getting points on the board in that match and also in their second game at FC Girondins de Bordeaux, before the double-header against Chelsea on Matchdays 3 and 4. "I have seen some of CFR's matches and they play fantastic football," the 49-year-old said. "Of course we should win, but we have to play well and we have to focus on bringing all our qualities on to the pitch."
Obscure opponents
CFR are UEFA Champions League debutants, whereas Roma have grown in stature in the competition in recent campaigns. Spalletti, though, insists the Cluj club will be no pushovers, regardless of a shaky domestic start. "When you play these teams who are not very well know at European level, players can think it's not going to be difficult, but it's not like that," he said. "I hope my players don't make this mistake because all matches are very hard."
'Hidden mantraps'
The ultimate aim is at least to improve on last season's performance. "We should definitely look to do no worse than last time, and always try to improve," said Spalletti, adding: "This is definitely a group with hidden mantraps. But we know when we play in a huge competition like this, that we need the mental power, personality and confidence to show our quality on the pitch. I believe Roma have the ability to take on all these teams and to get through this group."