LATEST NEWS FROM AS ROMA – On the eve of the Europa League round of 16 first leg match between Roma and Athletic Club, scheduled for tomorrow night at the Stadio Olimpico, Ernesto Valverde spoke in a press conference. Below are all his statements:
What differences are there between this Roma team and the one from the beginning of the season?
“When we first came here they had just changed coach, Juric had just arrived and there were unknowns while now we arrive with an experienced coach like Ranieri who has been working with this team for several months. Roma is a dangerous and very strong team, now with Ranieri even more so. It is a very complicated round.”
How is Sancet doing?
“Yesterday he did part of training with the group, we will evaluate today’s training. It’s an important game but there will be others and he has to be 100 percent. We will evaluate him.”
What does he tell the players on the eve of two such games?
“We have to emphasize some aspects, the second game will depend on tomorrow’s challenge. If you miss tomorrow’s game you are out and in these double challenges mistakes or bad days are not allowed. We have to be competitive and focused, we have the ambition to move forward.”
How does he deal with this challenge?
“We have players who are cautioned and no one thinks of sparing anyone, we certainly don’t. If a player who is warned has to play, I will put him on the field.”
