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| Spalletti proud of Roma |
Wednesday 11 March, 2009 |
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Luciano Spalletti is very proud of Roma's performance and claims the excess pressure in Italy is the reason behind the Euro slip-ups.
“The team should be proud of what they did, not just in terms of effort, but also the qualify of their play. They deserved more, but unfortunately when it goes to spot-kicks it is a lottery,” he said of the shoot-out exit to Arsenal.
“We had prepared for this eventuality and left the final substitution to the end for [Vincenzo] Montella. Unfortunately that's the way it went.
“We have to learn to lose. When you put in performances like that then you can hold your head up high even when going out.”
Roma won the match 1-0 to level the tie on aggregate through Juan's goal, but Julio Baptista wasted a great chance to get the second.
Merely getting to extra time was an achievement considering they were missing Simone Perrotta, Philippe Mexes, Marco Cassetti, Daniele De Rossi and Christian Panucci.
It got worse during the match, as Juan and Rodrigo Taddei picked up injuries, while David Pizarro and Francesco Totti were visibly limping.
“It was a great night for emotions, especially as this was such a tough time for us with so many problems over the last two weeks,” continued Spalletti.
“Having made up for all these problems, I was fairly relaxed on the bench, as I felt there was nothing more we could do. I expected to go through, as we absolutely deserved it.
“After these two substitutions I had a couple at risk, from Pizarro and Totti to [Souleymane] Diamoutene, who were not fit.
“We had quality and balance, which isn't easy in the circumstances. It takes more than just fresh legs in this game.
“We took our penalties well, but you need that pinch of luck that we were missing.”
Once again four English clubs go through to the Champions League quarter-finals, but all the Italians are out.
“It means the English mentality and balance they can find in these games seem to give them an advantage,” mused Spalletti.
“They deal with pressure well, probably because they have so much less than we do, and that allows them to handle the big occasions better.
“They are well-constructed teams and all play right to the end with stamina and physical strength.
“This idea they always play music in the locker room is a good one, so I'm going to start using it.
“In Italy the players always feel the rifles pointed at their backs, but they need help to relax and keep a clear head when going into the incident that can prove decisive.”
Jose Mourinho aimed a sideswipe at Roma fans when he said “all of Italy will be happy” that Inter went out to Manchester United.
“I am disappointed that Inter went out and the same goes for Juventus, as from what I saw last night they deserved more,” insisted the Giallorossi Coach.
“I am not against anyone. I stand for Roma and would like football to be an entertaining spectacle, like it was here tonight.
“I'm sorry for the fans who came here with such enthusiasm, but it showed the extraordinary passion that sport creates in this city and that bodes well for the future.”
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