EN
Home News

Spalletti preoccupied with Florenzi's condition despite another good win

Spalletti

Luciano Spalletti expressed his delight at the performance of Edin Dzeko - but admitted Wednesday's win over Sassuolo had been soured somewhat by a late injury to Alessandro Florenzi.

Dzeko scored his ninth and 10th goals of the Serie A campaign as Roma came from behind to win 3-1 at the Mapei Stadium, continuing the club's current winning run.

Radja Nainggolan then got the clinching goal with just over 10 minutes remaining, but a knee injury to Florenzi - who left the field in tears - was a terrible way to end the contest.

"He was squeezing my hand he was in so much pain," Spalletti revealed. "We all feel really sorry for him.

"When something like this happens it takes away all the joy from winning the game. It's not what we needed after a good match.”

Roma came back into the game well.

“Sassuolo played the way we expected them to but we conceded too early. We managed to pick ourselves up and get going again with some difficulty, but overall I must say we played well. Edin [Dzeko] scored a fine goal and that eased the tension – once we'd equalised we looked like we'd go on and score again.”

How important will Juve v Napoli be on Saturday?

“The result will tell us something as far as the next round of matches is concerned. It's an important game but it's still too early to draw more general conclusions.”

Your players had to pick the ball up between the lines because Sassuolo were defending wide.

“Either you look to get in there between the lines or you get in behind the backline – those are the areas where you can hurt the opposition. [Radja] Nainggolan did well not to get sucked in between the defensive midfielders. Sometimes he delayed playing the ball but he did well – that's how I want him to see him play. I think's looking like the player we need again.”

Could we see Thomas Vermaelen at left-back?

“No, not Vermaelen. I'd be making things difficult for him. [Antonio] Rudiger can do a job there. He's got the strength and pace to go for the high balls and cover. If I really had to find another position for Vermaelen I see him more in a defensive midfield role.”

How did you manage to turn Dzeko around like this?

“Edin can make you a bit angry at times but then at other times you just have to get up off your feet and applaud him. He does things using a combination of strength, skill, flair, technique and touch.”