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| Spalletti admires Atalanta |
Sunday 15 February, 2009 |
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Luciano Spalletti expects a very tough test for Roma's Champions League ambitions when they visit Atalanta this afternoon.
“Atalanta are one of those sides who have played excellent football this season and they proved what the concept of a team is really all about,” said the Giallorossi Coach.
“They beat Inter 3-1 here and achieved other remarkable results. All the statistics go to support Luigi Del Neri's work and I compliment him for what he is developing in Bergamo.
“It will be a difficult game for us. We need humility to beat Atalanta. As they say, the arrogant will be humiliated.”
Mirko Vucinic should be fit after an injury scare in training, but Roma make the trip without Alberto Aquilani, Cicinho, John Arne Riise, Marco Cassetti, Jeremy Menez, Christian Panucci and the suspended Rodrigo Taddei.
“Aquilani has a slight sprain, but he can't move his foot comfortably, so he cannot play. I don't know if Riise will recover to face Arsenal, we will have to evaluate his fitness closer to the day.”
Panucci is still frozen out despite publicly apologising to the club, his teammates and fans - though notably not Spalletti - for his tantrum last month.
“I don't have anything to explain, as nothing has changed. I say hello to Panucci, I lead the training session, but nothing else has happened.
“We had a discussion after the transfer window closed and presented the situation very clearly with regards to the new signings.”
One of those linked with Roma during January was Atalanta hitman Sergio Floccari, who could still join them in the summer.
“Roma have a network of scouts who are working to find new talents. We followed Floccari, as we did with others, and he has the quality for Roma,” confessed Spalletti.
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Vucinic avoids injury scare
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Roma captain Francesco Totti believes last weekend's win over Genoa could prove crucial in the race for Champions League qualification. More |
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