Spalletti: There’s always room for improvement

Luciano Spalletti has urged Roma to keep striving to get better and not rest on their laurels.

Speaking to Roma Radio, the Giallorossi boss spoke of his satisfaction with the way the team has performed so far but stressed that his players should always be looking to raise their level further.

“We’re doing some good things but I think there’s always room for improvement,” began Spalletti. “That’s where our focus needs to be – on achieving our next goal.”

How is the team evolving?

“We’re always trying to put that extra something in. I ask a lot from the players. It’s better to ask for the impossible because that way we’ll be ready for anything. What makes me happy is the level of participation I’m seeing in the dressing room and on the training ground on a daily basis. That fills me with confidence and positivity for the future.”

Do you agree that the team looks more secure from a psychological perspective?

“The players feel more confident in their ability. We needed to help them show that more. Over the last two years the team has finished near the top of the table twice and that’s because there was good work done here before. That said, the league is more competitive this year than it was last time around – top players have come back to Serie A and that’s driven the level of the Italian game back up.”

Looking back on your latest victory, what do you take from the Udinese win?

“There were lots of great things. The team rose to the occasion. The best thing was the way we switched our focus in the week leading up to the game and made sure we were ready for the match, given the run we’re on.”

Give us three key positives from Udinese v Roma.

“The first was the way we managed the game – we wanted to keep possession. The second was the way we were able to dig in when we needed to, showing physical strength and belief. And the third was when [Miralem] Pjanic came on from the bench. He did exactly what he had to do and he did it well.”

It’s been said that Alessandro Florenzi’s goal stemmed from a training ground move. Is that true?

“Did Florenzi say that? It’s not true at all... that’ll be the players trying to butter me up [laughter]! The truth is that it’s their quality that dictates our moves and playing systems. If Florenzi didn’t have the ability to burst forward ten yards then there would be no point in practising systems. That’s the truth.”

The forwards played well against Udinese. How would you rate Edin Dzeko’s performance?

“Edin had a great game in the way he put the effort in and fought hard. He linked up with the rest of the team’s play well. He was unlucky with that early header from [Lucas] Digne’s cross but he’d timed it well to work the space. We definitely saw a different Edin Dzeko against Udinese.”