Spalletti pinpoints problem

Under pressure boss remains calm as he prepares for Chelsea

By Richard Bailey   Last updated: 3rd November 2008

Spalletti pinpoints problem

Spalletti: Looking to turn things around at Roma

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Roma coach Luciano Spalletti has declared that his side's poor form is psychological.

Spalletti saw his side slip to their fourth defeat in a row on Saturday when they lost 2-0 to Juventus.

Roma were last season's runners-up in Serie A, while also progressing to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League. However, the club currently occupy the last remaining relegation place in Serie A with just seven points from a possible 27.

It seems the club have taken their dismal league into the Champions League. Roma have lost two out of their three matches to date, including an embarrassing home defeat to CFR Cluj.

If the Italians lose to Chelsea on Tuesday then they may not even have Uefa Cup football to fall back on.

Spalletti insists he knows what he has to do and says that he will draw on his experiences with former clubs Udinese and Sampdoria.

He said: "Putting fear into the team would be the worst thing one could do. In this contest we have to be strong because you have to make simple situations seem difficult and in difficult ones you have to be realistic and make them seem easy.

"It's a psychological problem. You need to show the lads what they've done well. Then look to reinforce the concepts that they've been developing over the last few games. And then look to maintain their self-esteem in the same way."

Tough situation

Roma began the season poorly and have steadily seen it get worse but Spalletti is philosophical about the situation.

He said: "Throughout the history of any work people have found themselves in difficult situations regardless of all the components wanting to do well for the cause.

"This also happens abroad. As I said before, these difficulties are particular and are more difficult to manage.

"In Turin (when Roma lost 2-0 to Juventus) we did well until we conceded a goal. Then in the second half we had many problems due to being trapped in this moment."

In Chelsea, Roma face a team who are currently at the top of their game. New manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has his side playing attractive attacking football and they sit at the top of Group A.

If Chelsea do beat Roma and Cluj defeat Bordeaux then the English will progress to the second round with two games remaining. Spalletti knows how tough the match will be.

He added: "In my opinion this match with Chelsea is the most important of them all. We need to get a result."