Roma boss Spalletti to scout Egyptian players during Ahly friendly
Mahmoud Elassal, , Thursday 19 May 2016
Roma's coach prepares for Ahly friendly as official game to save the team's reputation


Roma coach Luciano Spalletti revealed that he is preparing for the Ahly friendly the same as he would for official games as he knows Egyptian football well.

Egyptian giants Ahly have officially reached an agreement to play Italian side AS Roma in a friendly game on 20 May.

"We will play the Ahly friendly as we do in the official games and if we do something different we will insult ourselves," Spalletti told the pre-game press conference.

"We will start the game with the perfect lineup," he added.

Both sides have met twice before in a summer friendly game in 2002 in Cairo, with Ahly claiming a 2-1 victory, while the second was in 2008 when the Giallorossi had the upper hand defeating the Red Devils 3-0.

"I know Egyptian football well, I traveled to Egypt and followed players there," Spalletti said.

"I can't remember definite names but there are more talented players.

"I've had a good season with Roma and depending on more talented players can make the difference with the team," he said.

Egypt's Mohamed Salah has been one of Roma's best performers since joining last summer as the club has been battling for a UEFA Champions League spot next season.

"After Salah's performance with Roma, I could search for new Egyptian players to join Roma and I may start from tomorrow's friendly," the Roma boss said.

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