Cassetti denies dressing-room divisions

AS Roma full-back Marco Cassetti said there are no divisions within the team’s dressing-room ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League opener against last season’s beatenfinalists Bayern Munich.

Speaking from Fiumicino airport in Rome before heading out to Munich, Cassetti denied newspaper allegations that there is a split in the camp.

“We’re united and convinced that we’re all pushing in the same direction,” he said.

“And there are no problems in the changing rooms as I read in today’s papers, we’re moving forwards calmly.”

And after Roma’s dire start to the league season — they were held to a 0-0 draw at home to newly-promoted Cesena and then drubbed 5-1 at Cagliari — Cassetti insisted the team cannot rest on their laurels after last season’s impressive showing.

“It will obviously be a difficult game because, let me remind you all, Bayern reached the Champions League final three months ago,” he said.

“But we have faith in our quality and our potential and hence we feel ready for this challenge.

“Of course we have to try to forget that last season we did some remarkable things but it’s finished and this is a new season.

“We’ve got to roll up our sleeves and concentrate in every game because each match is a battle.

“We have to try to play like we did last season game after game and then see where that takes us.

“I’m sure we’ll easily escape this terrible period.”

The defender is expecting a tough challenge from Bayern’s bristling forwards but said the Germans offer more than just that.

“Bayern will be a challenge for the whole team, not just for the defence.”