Roma coach Rudi Garcia still believes his side have an outside chance of winning Serie A while also stating that the Giallorossi will struggle next season if they do not add reinforcements to their squad in the summer transfer window.
The Giallorossi will welcome AC Milan to the Stadio Olimpico on Friday night in a game they must win in order to apply what pressure they can to Serie A leaders Juventus, who currently sit eight points clear at the summit with just four games remaining.
“The Scudetto is not over yet. We will look to win [against AC Milan] and then see how Juventus get on the next day,” the 50-year-old told reporters at a press conference.
“We will do our utmost to try and finish in first place. Beating Milan will not be easy because they too have a lot to play for and are aiming to qualify for Europe.
“Milan are the team who progressed furthest in the Champions League out of the Italians and they have put a good run of form together so they are not to be underestimated.
“There will be 50,000 supporters at the Olimpico and this should be an added motivation.”
The Lupi guaranteed Champions League qualification with their win against Fiorentina last week and the French tactician claimed his side must look to strengthen the depth of their squad if they are to be successful next season.
“Next year will be much tougher for us because we will be playing every three days.
“The players will want to play in every game, both in the Champions League and Serie A and we want to at least progress past the [Champions League] group stages.
“If we lose players for long periods, like we have this season with [Mattia] Destro, [Francesco] Totti, Gervinho and [Kevin] Strootman, it will be very, very difficult unless we have a stronger squad.
“We must build a squad that will be equipped to compete every three days, we are doing well this year and we must do even more to repeat this feat next year.” Garcia added.
“I will speak with Walter Sabatini [Roma’s director of football] at the start of next week but there is no rush, for now I am concentrated on this seasons objectives starting with Friday nights game.”
The former Lille boss then commented on his future at the Giallorossi, “I have not set any conditions. I am ambitious just like the club.”
“First we will see how the season finishes, then we will remain calm and speak about building a team that is even more competitive than this season.” Garcia continued. “We are all proud to be part of this club.”
Follow Luca Hodges-Ramon on Twitter: @LH_Ramon25
