(see related) AS Roma coach
Luciano Spalletti said on Tuesday that his men should not worry
about past drubbings at the hands of European big guns ahead of
Wednesday's Champions League last-16 first leg clash against
Real Madrid.
Roma lost 6-1 to Barcelona under Spalletti's predecessor
Rudi Garcia in the group stage.
They also lost 7-1 to Bayern Munich in the group stage
last season and were hammered by the same scoreline at
Manchester United in quarter-finals in 2007 during Spalletti's
first stint at Roma.
"I've suffered big defeats too, but we can also list some
important wins and there are lots of them," Spalletti said.
"I'm convinced that this team has potential".
Spalletti will be able to field midfielder Daniele De
Rossi against Real after he recovered from a calf problem.
The Spanish giants will be without Gareth Bale and Pepe
for what will be Zinedine Zidane's first Champions League game
as coach.
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