AS Roma vs Torino preview - Zeman bullish as Roma look to bounce back

Posted Monday, November 19, 2012 by PA

Criticism of his controversial management style is like water off a duck's back for Zdenek Zeman, who has put Roma's derby defeat firmly behind him.

A fractious Derby della Capitale saw Lazio emerge 3-2 victors and heap further pressure on the beleaguered Czech tactician, whose side host Torino on Monday night, with several of his own players turning on him during the game.

Substitute Miralem Pjanic directed a tirade at his boss after netting from a free-kick after Daniele De Rossi had stormed off following his dismissal for punching Lazio captain Stefano Mauri, who scored the winner.

Just three points separate European hopefuls Roma and promoted Torino in Serie A - despite wildly differing pre-season expectations - but Zeman still feels his project is in rude health.

He told Gazzetta.it: "I've been in football for 40 years, I know what can happen, but the club hasn't given me the impression they want to get rid of me so far.

"Obviously if we lost seven games in a row then we'd be in trouble, but we haven't done that.

"I have not made big mistakes. For the most part our defeats have been down to distraction."

Zeman also poured cold water on the prospect of a player mutiny at the Stadio Olimpico, adding: "De Rossi never said anything to me.

"But Pjanic came over to apologise so he must have said something.

"In 40 years as a manager I've heard all sorts of things and I understand his situation, he just vented his frustration."

De Rossi begins a three-match ban for violent conduct, with Nicolas Burdisso and Panagiotis Tachtsidis also suspended.

Goalkeepers Maarten Stekelenburg and Bogdan Lobont are injured and Mauro Goicoechea was less than convincing in the derby, so Zeman has a dilemma in goal.

He added: "The team cannot relax given that we have not achieved the results we thought we would.

"Sometimes you go ahead and you lose, sometimes you go behind and you win, so you have to play for 95 minutes."

Torino have picked up eight points away from home and head coach Giampiero Ventura may look to expose a fragile Roma side with an attacking 4-2-4 formation.

Gianluca Sansone and Rolando Bianchi will lead the forward line for the visitors but Romanian midfielder Sergiu Suciu is still injured.

Zeman added: "Torino are very strong away from home, they put five goals past Atalanta.

"It is up to us to break them down but it will take a lot of hard work and patience."