Real Madrid Not On Mind Of Roma Boss Luciano Spalletti
Roma are focused on extending their winning run in Serie A against Carpi, rather than their Champions League test with Real Madrid.
Luciano Spalletti will not allow next week's Champions League clash with Real Madrid to distract Roma against Carpi on Friday.
Roma are looking to reach the quarter-finals of Europe's elite club competition for the first time since 2007-08, and welcome Madrid to the Italian capital on Wednesday for the opening leg of their last-16 clash.
Spalletti's side are in fine form as a return to European football looms large after three successive wins in Serie A, and the head coach is keen for his players to maintain their focus and improve that record.
"Our thoughts are on this game here," Spalletti told a media conference. "We have some players back, and we'll make our choices. Tomorrow is the priority, I'll make my choices based on the game tomorrow.
"If you think beyond the next game it'll all go wrong. Juve have won 14 games in a row, Napoli 10. If we want to compete we need to put together a streak of our own.
"If we think about any game other than tomorrow, then we haven't understood anything. Tomorrow is crucial. We want to keep up with the great teams.
"All of us, the players and the management are striving for success. Either we get results or we all fail together."