Spalletti spells out Roma ambition

AS Roma coach Luciano Spalletti has his sights firmly set on a place in the UEFA Champions League after leading his side to a club record-equalling seventh straight Serie A win on Saturday, 3-0 away to Parma FC. "We aren't hiding our ambition to finish fourth and qualify for the UEFA Champions League," he said. "The game against Cagliari [Calcio] is another crucial fixture for us."

Capello first
A pair of goals from Brazilian striker Mancini and another from Simone Perrotta ensured a comfortable victory for Roma, who remain fifth in Serie A, five points behind ACF Fiorentina in the race for Italy's fourth UEFA Champions League qualifying berth. Roma could cut that gap on Wednesday when they take on Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico. A victory would also break the record of consecutive wins first set by Fabio Capello's side in 2000/01 when the Giallorossi went on to win the Scudetto.

Juve defeated
Victory at the Stadio Ennio Tardini capped a perfect week for Roma, who three days earlier had knocked runaway leaders Juventus out of the Coppa Italia at the quarter-final stage. Roma have scored 16 goals and conceded just twice during their run of seven victories and are arguably playing the most entertaining football in Serie A. "It will be hard, but we will try to keep this rhythm going as long as possible," added Spalletti, who joined the Giallorossi last summer after leading Udinese Calcio to the qualifying rounds of the UEFA Champions League for the first time.

'Right path'
Veteran Roma defender Christian Panucci, meanwhile, called on his side to maintain their focus. "We are certainly on the right path," he said. "We aware of our strengths. Everything is going well at the moment but we cannot give up if we want to achieve our goals. We want to finish fourth, win the Coppa Italia and the UEFA Cup." Roma are away to Belgium's Club Brugge KV in the first leg of their UEFA Cup Round of 32 tie next week.