AS Roma vs Napoli - Spalletti tight-lipped on Totti

Posted Monday, April 25, 2016 by PA

Roma boss Luciano Spalletti has refused to reveal whether Francesco Totti has done enough to earn a starting berth against top-three rivals Napoli.

The 39-year-old striker, whose contract expires in the summer, has been a bit-part player at the Stadio Olimpico this season but has worked hard to convince his manager and the board that he deserves another year in the capital city.

Two weeks ago Totti emerged as a late substitute in Bergamo, scoring a goal that forced a 3-3 draw with Atalanta. He improved on those heroics in Wednesday's home meeting with Torino - notching twice from the bench in five second-half minutes to deliver a dramatic 3-2 victory.

If Roma are to catch second-placed Napoli they will need to match the Azzurri for goal threat, and winger Mohamed Salah represents the capital club's best individual outlet with 12 goals across his 30 appearances.

Napoli will boast Gonzalo Higuain, the league's leading marksman with an even 30 strikes, after the Argentinian secured his availability for the Rome clash by winning a partial appeal against a four-match ban.

Totti is in good form and beats Higuain for star appeal, but Spalletti was playing his cards close to his chest over team selection before Monday's match.

Asked whether the Liberation Day encounter could represent Totti's last appearance in Giallorosso, Spalletti said: "You'll have to ask (president James) Pallotta that, not me.

"I've had this non-existent rivalry with Totti thrust upon me. I'm just pleased that he's doing what he loves.

"I have to make sure all the lads feel important...Totti included obviously."

"He has always been an asset to us, and that's what we want, but I'll tell you my team tomorrow."

Roma are five points behind Napoli with four games remaining and, beyond pride, the prize for overtaking them would be direct entry into the Champions League group stage.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Spalletti added: "I must thank my players that we go into Roma v Napoli with a chance of qualifying directly.

"The lads have picked up some incredible results and we haven't stressed that often enough. They've grafted for me since day one."

Spalletti revealed that defender Toni Rudiger and midfielder William Vainquer have shaken off injuries to make his squad but he has concerns over Seydou Keita, Stephan El Shaarawy and Daniele De Rossi.

It is just as well Higuain is back in contention for Napoli as fellow striker Lorenzo Insigne looks doubtful ahead of the trip north, while winger Dries Mertens' involvement is similarly uncertain. Both players will travel, however.

With leaders Juventus now all but out of reach, Napoli are focusing on rubber-stamping second place, but to take a big step towards doing so on Monday afternoon they will have to reverse a run of three straight league defeats to the Giallorossi in the Eternal City.