Calm apparently returned at AS
Roma on Monday after the Serie A side were rocked by reports of
a big row between captain Francesco Totti and coach Luciano
Spalletti.
On Sunday Roma went as far as to put out a statement by
Spalletti denying that he and Totti had come to blows after
Sunday's 3-3 draw at Atalanta.
Spalletti reportedly gave his side a tongue lashing after
they blew a two-goal lead in Bergamo and needed a late equaliser
by substitute Totti to salvage a point, denting their hopes of
catching second-placed Napoli and qualifying directly for next
season's Champions League without a playoff.
The 39-year-old forward, who has been playing only a bit
part for Roma recently, is said to have given an angry response.
But on Monday Roma's TV channel showed footage of
Spalletti and Totti chatting during training on Monday with no
sign of tension.
Relations between Totti, who is approaching the end of his
career, and Spalletti have been strained after the latter
replaced Rudi Garcia in January to embark on his second stint in
charge of the three-time Italian champions.
The former Italy striker was briefly dropped from the
squad in February after demanding more "respect" in a TV
interview and complaining about a lack of dialogue with
Spalletti.
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