Roma caretaker coach Ezio Sella believes that Tuesday’s Champions League Group B match against Real Madrid could herald a new start for the Serie A club.

“We could start to put behind us our bad start to the season,” Sella told a press conference here Monday.

“Madrid is not a team that is impossible to beat. In the Champions League, each game has a different complexion to the rest of the season.

“You are looking at a damaged team but we want to get out of our crisis,” added Sella candidly.

“I am confident in my men, and confident in their spirit. Real Madrid are a difficult team to beat but if my team go in with the right mentality, then we can do it.”

Sella admitted that he was nervous about taking charge of his first match.

“But I have to put them (nerves) in the cupboard drawer for the moment. This game is vitally important for our future. Getting a good result will be an important step in putting a brake on our bad start to the season,” added Sella.

“And talking of the future, like next Sunday, to suggest that there will be another coach sitting on the bench is premature,” said Sella, tossing his hat into the ring for the post of permanent coach.

Sella was placed in charge on Sunday, following the resignation of former German national coach Rudi Voller the previous day.