Spalletti: 'Roma can win ugly'

By Football Italia staff

Luciano Spalletti believes Roma’s clinical 2-0 victory over Lazio in the derby was a sign of their new mentality. “Go beyond our limits.”

The Coach had complained in the past that they rarely ‘win ugly,’ but this afternoon they pounced on two Biancocelesti errors.

“We used different characteristics that can be handy for us,” Spalletti told Mediaset Premium.

“It is the start of the completion process that I am glad to see. It’s true the game wasn’t beautiful, but it was hard-fought. In the second half the team played very well, because that was our plan.”

Spalletti reshuffled into a 3-4-2-1 system because of injuries ruling out Mohamed Salah, Stephan El Shaarawy and Alessandro Florenzi.

“In truth, we were five at the back, but on the right we had Bruno Peres taking on Senad Lukic. Antonio Rudiger was meant to spread wide off the ball and act as the fourth in defence.

“Emerson Palmieri had a fantastic performance. Now let’s see if the usual pains in the backside start criticising him again. We have to say this, because they are over the top. Today Emerson took on the responsibility of troubling Felipe Anderson and he did it very well. Leave him alone for three or four games and you’ll see his quality.”

Next week there’s a head-to-head for second place between Roma and Milan at the Stadio Olimpico.

“The derby really fires you up, but we’ve got to concentrate on Milan and the players must look beyond what they’ve achieved to have other ambitions.

“Those who want to remain within their little box can do so, but we want to go beyond our limits.”

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