Catania vs AS Roma preview

Posted Saturday, May 03, 2014 by PA

Roma coach Rudi Garcia is determined his side will not suffer the pain of handing Juventus the Serie A title this weekend.

Anything but a win for the capital club in Sunday's game at bottom side Catania would ensure the Scudetto stays in Turin for a third straight season.

Roma are second in the standings and trail leaders Juve, who face Atalanta on Monday, by eight points with three games left.

"We have to win our game at Catania and then wait and see what Juve does," Garcia said. "Unfortunately, destiny is not in our own hands.

"Regardless of what happens, I am extremely happy with my players because they have done something extraordinary this season.

"To have collected 85 points with three rounds to go and qualify for the Champions League ahead of schedule was more than the club had predicted at the start of the season."

Roma, who host Juventus on May 9 before ending the season at home to Genoa, head into the encounter at the Stadio Angelo Massimino on the back of nine straight wins.

The Giallorossi can expect a battle as Catania are in desperate need of points to retain their top-flight status.

Maurizio Pellegrino's side lie at the foot of the standings, five points adrift of safety with nine points still up for grabs.

The Sicilian side could find themselves demoted to Serie B if results elsewhere go against them this weekend.

Catania have won just five times all season and last weekend's 4-0 loss at Hellas Verona was their 22th defeat of the campaign.

"We have three important games left to play and we will give our all," Pellegrino said. "Until we are mathematically relegated, we will continue to fight to avoid the drop - starting on Sunday against Roma."

Roma are still without the team's top scorer Mattia Destro through suspension, while midfielder Radja Nainggolan must also serve a one-match ban.