Roma boss Spalletti blasts Totti
by Barnaby Chesterman
ROME (AFP) - Roma coach Luciano Spalletti launched a surprising attack on his captain Francesco Totti after Roma's come-from-behind 2-1 victory at Atalanta that kept them in the title hunt.
Roma had to bounce back from an early set-back when Adriano Pinto gave the hosts a 17th-minute lead on Sunday.
And although it was Totti's fierce free-kick that drew the visitors level - before Alessandro Mancini's winner on the stroke of half-time - the team talisman still came under fire from his boss.
"Totti scored a goal and helped us out. He can do more and he can make more of a difference," said Spalletti.
"If a player scores two goals but could have scored five, then with two goals he's not done enough.
"If a player scores a goal but then goes missing for 70 minutes and leaves the team a man down, then the others are forced to work harder. You need to show effort and commitment as well as quality."
Roma were made to work hard for their victory and withstood some late pressure before holding on for the three points.
But that still left them in second spot, seven points behind Inter Milan, who won a lot more easily at Siena than the final 3-2 scoreline suggested.
A last minute consolation effort from Ferdnando Forestieri gave the score a slightly distorted look following a brace of goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and one from Esteban Cambiasso had put Inter in command despite an own goal from Ivan Cordoba.
It was Inter's 14th win in 18 matches this season and they are looking increasingly unstoppable.
Spalletti all but conceeded the title is Inter's to lose rather than theirs to win.
"It won't be easy to catch them. They need to do something normal and we'll need to win everything," he said.
While criticising his captain, Spalletti praised Mancini.
The Brazilian, who has yet to sign a new deal with the club, executed a fine strike from the edge of the box to seal the win.
"He did very well, we still have faith in his abilities," said Spalletti. "Players like him sometimes do things that don't come off but he knows we believe in him and today he helped us to win.
"His goal was only part of it. You can see in his eyes that he wants to do damage and make things happen."
Spalletti added that he wants to spend in the January transfer window to try to find the spark to drag back Inter.
"Inter have done something exceptional and unprecedented. We will try to do something even better than that," he added.
"To reach Inter's level I need to add two or three players."(news.yahoo.com)
Spalletti: Totti Can Do Better
Roma coach Luciano Spalletti has criticised his skipper Francesco Totti for a lack of effort, after their come-from-behind 2-1 win at Atalanta.
Despite clinching a win on Sunday, the Roma boss was clearly unhappy with Totti’s performance. Ironically, it was his powerful free-kick that helped the visitors drew level.
Still, Spalletti singled Totti out for a scathing attack.
He said: "Totti scored a goal and helped us out. He can do more and he can make more of a difference.
"If a player scores two goals but could have scored five, then with two goals he's not done enough. If a player scores a goal but then goes missing for 70 minutes and leaves the team a man down, then the others are forced to work harder. You need to show effort and commitment as well as quality."
Roma fell behind when Adriano Pinto gave Atalanta a 17th-minute lead. Totti’s goal and Alessandro Mancini's winner on the stroke of half-time gave the visitors a crucial away victory.
Even though Spalleti’s side clinched all three points, they were made to labour for their win. Roma are in second spot, seven points behind Inter Milan, who defeated Siena with 3-2 scoreline.
The win was Inter’s 14th win in 18 matches this season. And, Spalletti believes the title is firmly in Inter’s grasp.
"It won't be easy to catch them. They need to do something normal and we'll need to win everything," he said.
While Totti received criticism, Spalletti reserved special praise for Mancini. The Brazilian scored a spectacular goal from the edge of the box to seal the win.
"He did very well, we still have faith in his abilities," he said.
"Players like him sometimes do things that don't come off but he knows we believe in him and today he helped us to win. His goal was only part of it. You can see in his eyes that he wants to do damage and make things happen."
The Roma coach also added that he would be looking for reinforcements during the January transfer window – to bolster his team and remain in the title hunt.
"Inter have done something exceptional and unprecedented. We will try to do something even better than that," he explained.
"To reach Inter's level I need to add two or three players."(goal.com)
