Back to the Soccer Newsfeed

Spalletti defends Totti treatment

Luciano Spalletti says he and Francesco Totti are united in their aim to bring success to Roma, despite the captain's lack of playing time.

Roma coach Luciano Spalletti claims he cares about Francesco Totti too much to pick the veteran forward purely on sentiment.

The 39-year-old club icon has not started a match since Spalletti returned to Roma for a second spell in charge in January.

Totti was an unused substitute for a third consecutive Serie A match in last weekend's resounding 4-1 derby win over Lazio and Spalletti gave no suggestion his captain's role was about to change ahead of Monday's match with Bologna.