Spugna tells side to put best foot forward

Roma Women coach Alessandro Spugna spoke to the media on Wednesday morning, to preview his side's UEFA Women's Champions League tie with Sparta Prague.

A packed-out Stadio Tre Fontane is expected on Thursday afternoon (kick-off: 14:30 CEST) for the match, with a place in the group stage of the European competition up for grabs.

The Giallorosse are 2-1 up on aggregate after last week's first leg in the Czech Republic, but they know there is work still to be done if they want to reach the group stage.

Here is a selection of what Spugna had to say...

What sort of performance are you expecting from Roma tomorrow? Will you go out there to try and kill the game off early, or manage the game given your advantage from the first leg?

“I have told the girls one thing: We cannot afford to make the mistake of thinking we have already won this tie. We need to play this match the way we want to, the way we like to play. The game is a long one, it’s 90 minutes, there’s plenty of time.

“So we need to do what we know best; trying to score and not thinking about waiting for things to happen. Then, if the match turns out in a way that means we need to dig in for the final few minutes, to hold onto a draw or whatever it may be in order to qualify, then we will see how we approach it at that point. But we can’t start the game with the first leg result in our heads.”

Your side plays with a real intensity, an aggressive formation that brings to mind the men’s Atalanta side. How much have coaches like yourself had an influence on this development in women’s football?

“The growth of women’s football is based on so many factors, not just us coaches. The clubs work in a certain way, the players are improving a lot, good players have come here which has allowed us to work on new ideas and play a more adventurous style.

“So that is how we are getting to a faster, more physical and intense style of play – which is what many sides play in Europe. We will need to bring that with us into the match tomorrow.”

What are you most wary about with Sparta Prague?

“It will be a difficult game. A very physical side, an aggressive one – I think we all saw that in the first leg. On our side, we have our quality on the ball. If we go out there and produce what we know we are capable of, then we have the ability to get the result we want.”

Did you ever think that so many fans would come to the stadium to watch your side?

“We all hoped so, not just me. The fact we are so close to the group stage of a big competition like this, I think it creates interest for a lot of people.

“Tomorrow will be a beautiful occasion, and having so many fans in the ground to watch will be a key motivation for us. I hope it is the sort of thing that happens more and more going forward, because it would mean we have reached the group stage and will play at least three more games at home. That can only help to generate further interest and excitement.”

Are games like this also vital for the development of women’s football in Italy? Does your side feel that sort of responsibility?

“Absolutely. Both ourselves and Juventus have a responsibility to reach the group stage of the Champions League. A while back every Italian side used to go out in the first round but today things are different and we have a better opportunity.

“Of course, we know there is work to be done. But doing so would be really important for the growth of the club, of the players, of the coaches too. It would really be important.”