Roma coach Rudi Garcia promised that the Giallorossi will bring in a new central striker to replace AC Milan’s Mattia Destro.
The French coach also said that his players need to a avoid becoming distracted by the transfer market so that they are ready and focused from the first minute of their game at home to Empoli on January 31.
“Mattia Destro is a centre-forward of great quality, a great person but he wanted to play more and so it was normal to let him leave,” said Garcia at his pre-match press conference before the Empoli game.
“A replacement will come in before February 3, a centre-forward.”
Garcia went on to praise Empoli who the Giallorossi beat in extra time the Coppa Italia ahead of their Serie A fixture.
“Tactically they are the most well-organised side in the league.”
“They are very good at set pieces.
“In the Coppa Italia we could have scored more seeing as we had many chances.
“We hope that our players have understood the things they need to do to defend well against them, including how to deal with set pieces before attacking when the opportunities are there.”
The 50-year-old also spoke about how Roma cannot be distracted by the transfer window and how they must have the right mentality against the Azzurri.
“We know that at this moment the transfer market is still open and there is much talk about this.”
“The players know this but we are concentrated 100 per cent on the Empoli game and not on other things.
“You know my view, people who aren’t here yet can’t play and I’m concentrating on what I already have and they are focused and want to win the three points tomorrow.
“I have faith in my squad for tomorrow.
“We need to be more consistent, we need to start his game strongly to take the lead.
“We need to play a fully committed game and my players must display this spirt from the first minute.”
Garcia was also asked if he still thinks Roma can win the Scudetto considering that Juventus currently have a seven point lead.
“I have already expressed myself on this, we are competing on three fronts and there is little else to add.”
“It’s true that we’ve been drawing too much and need to be constant but while I’m doing everything possible to win, I support the work done so far by the squad.
“We are calm in defence, we have three very strong centre-backs.
“The timing of the transfer market is very important, the club shouldn’t just sign somebody to say they have someone new.”
