De Rossi: Champions League a must for Roma

20 March 2012 03:06

Daniele De Rossi believes a Champions League place must be the target for Roma after their 1-0 win over Genoa on Monday.

Roma remain sixth in the Serie A standings in spite of their victory in the Italian capital, but they are now just four points behind third-placed Lazio.

With Udinese, Napoli and Inter all just as desperate to secure Champions League football next season, De Rossi acknowledges that Roma face an onerous challenge, but feels Roma are capable of securing a place in Europe's premier cup competition.

"It will be difficulty but we must try," De Rossi told Mediaset. "We have to improve many things, but the league is like this."

"Nobody is winning with a cigarette in their mouth. Aside from Juventus and AC Milan, nobody is convincing."

"We are afraid of all of our rivals because they are great teams and, for now, Lazio are favourites because they are above everyone else."

"But it's been a positive couple of weeks for us and there are a lot of games left to go."

De Rossi is thrilled Roma have put themselves in contention to finish third after what has been a less than smooth transition to life under new coach Luis Enrique.

"We are now rearing out heads after a difficult start," De Rossi told Sky Sport Italia. "We are on a difficult journey which has had its ups and downs."

"But I am confident for the future because no one has ever questioned this group and this project."

"Our ranking is clear, but I think that this team has the quality to be higher up and we will commit ourselves right until the end to climb a few positions."

Roma travel to the San Siro on Saturday to take on reigning Italian champions AC Milan.

Serie A: Roma 1 Genoa 0

19 March 2012 23:35

Pablo Osvaldo scored an early goal as Roma saw off Genoa 1-0 in their Serie A clash at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday.

In a match dominated by the hosts, striker Osvaldo's goal in just the third minute proved the difference between the two sides.

With Roma fighting for a place in Europe next season, it took Luis Enrique's side little time to find the back of the net in front of their home fans.

Osvaldo was left free at the backpost, and after controlling a looping ball into the box, he stepped inside his man and placed a shot past goalkeeper Sebastien Frey to give Roma an early lead.

Roma continued to dominate in term of possession and shot on goal, but failed to hit the target often enough.

When they did get their shots on target, they found Frey an immoveable force in goal, but with Genoa offering little the other way, they comfortably held onto the three points.

Sixth-placed Roma have now moved to four points of Lazio, who occupy the third Champions League qualification spot.

Enrique: Roma are improving

19 March 2012 06:14

Luis Enrique has defended his Roma team's inconsistent form as they prepare to face Genoa in Serie A on Monday.

Roma have won two and lost two in their last four league outings, undermining their challenge for Europa League qualification.

After beating Palermo 1-0 away from home last week, Roma now have a chance to record consecutive victories for the first time since January.

Despite their issues, Enrique feels the squad is continuing to develop under his guidance.

"My team has been improving for many months," Enrique said.

"I can't think the opposite just because the team loses one, two, three or four consecutive matches."

"I know the results are the most important thing and I've always known it, but I keep on seeing improvements."

"Depending on the match, the improvements can be tactical or technical. In the last match we suffered, but it's normal to win and suffer; a team should have the skills to suffer, since we never play alone, there is always a skilled opposing team."

Roma are sixth on the table, six points behind Napoli, who occupy the final Europa League qualification berth.

While the chance to close the gap on fifth place is significant, Enrique is adamant the battle to secure European football will not cause a loss of focus.

"I believe we can beat Genoa," he said.

"This is my focus now, the rest doesn't matter to me. Right now the match against Genoa is the most important match, nothing else."

Serie A preview: Juve seek end to struggles

19 March 2012 04:11

Juventus travel to Fiorentina looking to break their winless run and avoid falling further behind AC Milan in the Serie A title race.

Antonio Conte's Juve are unbeaten in the league this season, but four straight draws have seen them slip four points behind league leaders Milan ahead of a trip to Stadio Artemio Franchi on Saturday.

Both Giorgio Chiellini and Martin Caceres, who were under injury clouds, are likely to be available for Conte, while star Fiorentina forward Stevan Jovetic could miss out.

Juve have only netted three goals in their last four matches and Conte will be hopeful his attack - led by Alessandro Matri and Mirko Vucinic - can start firing.

Failure to collect three points is likely to see Juve fall further behind AC Milan, who travel to meet Parma.

Massimiliano Allegri's side have won four of their last five league outings, with striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic in fine form since returning from suspension.

The Swede leads the league with 19 goals, with four of those coming in his last two matches.

Parma have won just one of their last nine, a poor run that leaves them six points outside the bottom three.

Meanwhile, Napoli and Udinese, who are fourth and fifth respectively, do battle at Stadio Friuli.

Walter Mazzarri's Napoli, eliminated from the Champions League after a 4-1 loss to Chelsea on Wednesday, are unbeaten in seven league matches.

In other matches, Inter Milan host Atalanta at the San Siro on Sunday as they look to bounce back from their surprise Champions League round-of-16 exit at the hands of Marseille.

Claudio Ranieri's position remains a subject of scrutiny, but the Inter boss will be desperate to seal a European spot for his side next season.

In other matches, Edy Reja's Lazio travel to Catania on Sunday hoping to consolidate third spot.

Roma clash with Genoa on Monday, Bologna will be out to build on their three-match unbeaten run when they host Chievo on Sunday, while Novara visit Siena.

Strugglers Cagliari and Siena meet on Sunday, while Palermo travel to Lecce.