AS Roma lost to Empoli on Saturday and it surely was a major blow to the Giallorossi who now have thin hopes in winning the Scudetto and this certainly created a bitter atmosphere amongst the players, but has it created rifts in the team?

Captain Francesco Totti, hampered by a mediocre performance, was substituted on the 20th minute of the 2nd half with Vucinic and this may have caused a rift with the Coach according to the Roman grapevine.

However, AS Roma coach Spalletti has explained that there is no talk of a rift. “Against Empoli I substituted Totti because there is very important Champions League match awaiting us. Totti knows me very well and he is a player whom I admire a lot.”

“There’s mutual respect between myself and the Captain and it would be very difficult for anyone to stir up a conflict between me and Francesco.” assessed Spalletti, implying that certain local media reporters often spread all-but-true rumours.

On the current Serie A situation Spalletti was honest. ”We have done what we could do. Perhaps we could have given more effort in matches against minor opponents, but it is just undeniable that Inter Milan are doing an extraordinary season.”

“To become competitive, we need at least 3 other important players to add to the current squad”, ended the Coach, although not dropping any names. Who could – and should – he be thinking of?

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