Roma coach Rudi Garcia was in a confident mood ahead of Saturday’s match against Empoli despite being wary of the distraction of midweek Champions League football.
The French coach addressed the Giallorossi squad following the international break, with long term absentees Kevin Strootman and Federico Balzaretti the only players missing Saturday’s trip to Tuscany.
“I have to keep the team focused on Empoli, for me this is the big game. I do not even remember that we have to play on Wednesday,” the 50 year old tactician said during his pre-match press conference.
“The international break? It’s happened before with Fiorentina, we only had two days to get everything ready. It’s new, however, we have demonstrated a great capacity to adapt and tomorrow will show that it takes two days to prepare for the match.
“Training will decide the future, I can say that every player is important. Excluding Balzaretti and Strootman all are available.”
Seydou Keita and Gervinho arrived back in the Italian capital later than the rest of the squad, though Garcia was not worried about their condition.
“We had a normal workout that was somewhat cautious. They played a short time ago and that was the right thing. Anyway I saw them and they are well and tomorrow they we will be 100% because we are at the beginning of the season.”
