Spalletti: We have to come together to help those who have lost almost everything

The match, part of the 'Festa della Famiglia', will see all proceeds donated to the ongoing aid effort after the tragic impact of the recent earthquake in central Italy.

"In view of the seriousness of what has happened, it's easy to turn the occasion into a vitally important friendly. We have to come together as a club," Spalletti said. "We play football matches as a team, working as a group and coming up with the right answers.

"It's the same in this situation. We have to come together with our fans in order to help those who have lost almost everything."

How has the team been after the tragedy in central Italy?

"There has been a heavy air about the place, they're not speaking about much else in the changing room. Images from the earthquake are all around and that can cause you to lose concentration. The pain of what happened can take over you. It's therefore easy to find the right reaction, just like after the earthquake in L'Aquila."

And what was your reaction?

"I was in bed when the earthquake occurred and the news hit me hard, similar to 2009 when I was awake and realised what was going on. Straight away I tried to find out what had happened because from the get-go it seemed like a devastating event. The following day I got on the telephone to get information and contact the friends I have in that area."

How can you move on from this now?

"It's a new beginning and we all have to pull in the right direction. It helps having those things and people that can give you a hand in these situations: they can be the silver lining of the new beginning. I have been to L'Aquila, you can still see the devastation and your mind goes back to the days, people and places that stick in the memory from that event.

"Inevitably there's still a wound, even if those people are used to working and moving forward. They are rooted to their land. It's not easy to start again but they will try and they will manage it."

Next up is Saturday at the Stadio Olimpico.

"In a civil society where we find it difficult to come to agreement over things, now we have to show we're a fantastic team to all move in the same direction. Everybody united for a noble principle. We also have the friendly against San Lorenzo, which is a good test regardless."

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