Spalletti picks up momentum Sunday 24 February, 2008
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Luciano Spalletti can’t wait to face Inter on Wednesday, but Cesare Prandelli feels Adrian Mutu’s injury was decisive in Rome.
The 1-0 victory over Fiorentina – and the Nerazzurri’s 1-1 at Sampdoria – has reduced the gap at the top of the table to nine points just days before a head-to-head battle at San Siro.
“I think up until now Roma have had a great season and if Inter are nine points in front then they have been almost impeccable,” said Spalletti.
“It still seems like a very large gap, though. It is difficult to play every three days and that means we are all playing below our capabilities at the moment. Inter are better in the air and from set-pieces, we play well with the ball to feet at pace, so we must try to push the game towards our characteristics.”
Fiorentina also played in Europe midweek and that clearly affected their performance at the Olimpico.
“Despite this situation, the two teams faced each other openly and there could have been many more goals for both sides, but the prerogative was to ensure the fans enjoyed themselves.”
The turning point of the encounter saw Mutu stretchered off with a sprained left knee in the first half and Prandelli felt that was crucial.
“He feels a little pain in the collateral ligament, but we hope it is only a bruise because it was a very hard sprain.
“This injury gave Roma the psychological advantage in a moment in which we were playing well. Overall the team’s performance was positive.”
It leaves the Viola at risk of being caught by Milan in the race for fourth place this weekend.
“It is not a missed opportunity to consolidate fourth, as there will be other chances to pick up points. The regret is we failed to convert some of our first half scoring opportunities.”
channel4