Roma won´t play for a draw, insists Spalletti

December 9, 2008

ROME (AFP) – AS Roma coach Luciano Spalletti insisted on Monday that his team will play to win in Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Bordeaux at the Stadio Olimpico here.

Roma only need a draw to ensure they progress from Group A to the knock-out stages of Europe’s premier competition but Spalletti says they won’t be going into the game with that mentality.

"If we did something different (than playing to win) it would be a huge mistake," said Spalletti.

"The psychological side will be vital in this match because Bordeaux have nothing to lose.

"They have to win whereas we have two results (a win and a draw) open to us but we can’t risk making calculations.

"Plus we have the opportunity to win the group and that’s why we have to win."

Roma are top of the group on nine points, one ahead of Chelsea and two in front of Bordeaux in the only pool where three teams can still qualify for the second round.

A draw would be enough for Roma to progress, as would a defeat in the unlikely event that Chelsea failed to win at home to Romanian minnows CFR Cluj.

However, a victory would guarantee the Italians top spot in the group and a supposedly easier tie in the next round against a second place finisher and with the return leg at home.

Bordeaux, for their part, must win or they are out.

Spalletti has had some mixed injury news leading up to the match with Montenegro forward Mirko Vucinic declared fit to play but Brazilian midfielder Rodrigo Taddei ruled out with a muscle problem.

"I’m very disappointed Taddei won’t be at my disposal. He has had a recurrence of a muscular pain which comes from a period when he wasn’t playing, which I find worrying."

Spalletti also paid tribute to Bordeaux for reaching this stage of the competition still with hopes of progressing having lost their first two group matches 4-0 at Chelsea and 3-1 at home to Roma.

"After those first two days Bordeaux were practically eliminated but then (coach) Laurent Blanc managed to find some balance, a bit like us," added Spalletti.

"And now they can qualify. That’s why they’ll be at their best, they’ve nothing to lose."

Written by: AFP

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