Realist? Pessimist? Reverse psychologist? Those questions about Roma coach Luciano Spalletti linger in the air following comments he made about next year’s title contenders in Serie A. Despite finishing second last year, Spalletti ruled his Giallorossi out of having any serious chance of contending for the 2007-08 Scudetto. Instead, the battle for top spot will be reserved for Milan’s giants, AC Milan and holder Inter Milan, which won the league this year by an astonishing margin.
“I think next year will be a race between Inter and Milan, and behind them you have us, Juventus, Fiorentina, Lazio and Palermo,” the Roma coach told reporters. Interestingly, Spalletti didn’t add Juve to the contender list, either: “Juventus have done excellently in the transfer market,” he said, “but they’re not close to competing for the Scudetto yet.”
Roma, meanwhile, has been quiet on the transfer market. The club recently added the Brazilian Juan to its list of defenders, while Romanian center-back Christian Chivu looks to be headed for an exit. Cagliari midfielder Mauro Esposito looks to be next on Spalletti’s wish list.