Spalletti reflects on Lyon draw

The Giallorossi will face Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyon in the last-16 of the competition, after seeing off Spanish club Villarreal in the first knockout round.

Lyon currently sit fourth in the French table but, after romping past AZ Alkmaar with an 11-2 aggregate victory in their last European tier, will go into the clash with confidence high.

“It’s a tough draw," Spalletti said. "It always pulls something out of the hat for us and this time is no different, but we’re happy to be competing in such a high-quality tie.

"It’s going to come in a period full of important matches for us, so we’ll need to be on our game.”

Asked about the French side, the coach added: "They’ve always risen to the challenge when they’ve played in big games. They’re a team with some good players and lots of individual quality. They’re technically gifted, quick and unpredictable.

"[Alexandre] Lacazette and [Corentin] Tolisso are top players, just like the ones in our own squad. We have to produce a performance worthy of Roma.”

Looking back to that tie ten years ago, do you have cause for optimism?

“We have to be optimistic in every game we play. We have a strong squad and we can compete with anyone in the long term, because we have good strength in depth. Of course, perhaps it would have been better to face another team, but you have to play to win and sometimes when we play the smaller teams our level drops, so I’m glad that it’s a challenge.”

Will you be asking [former Lyon player] Clement Grenier for some tips?

“I’ll definitely speak to him. Everyone does that sort of thing so I don’t see why I shouldn’t, given that he’s here. He knows Lyon. They’re a big club with plenty of European experience. Their president wants the team to play attractive football, he’s built them a new stadium, he’s ambitious. The club went through a difficult spell but he started investing in the team again, buying young prospects who give their all. They have everything they need to do well.”