AS Roma vs Juventus preview - Roma boss Rudi Garcia hoping to claim Juventus scalp - 7M sport

AS Roma vs Juventus preview - Roma boss Rudi Garcia hoping to claim Juventus scalp



Posted Saturday, August 29, 2015 by PA

Roma will look to prove they are genuine Scudetto contenders on Sunday when they take on four-time defending champions Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico.

The Giallorossi have finished a distant second behind Juve the past two seasons and are hoping to clinch their first league title since the 2000-01 campaign.

Despite the departures of Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez at the end of last season and a surprise home defeat to Udinese in their opener last week, Juventus are expected to do well again.

Roma also failed to pick up a win in their first outing, drawing 1-1 at Hellas Verona, but coach Rudi Garcia is looking to the future with optimism.

"Obviously there's still a lot of work to be done but it will be a great game, as we always expect," Garcia said on his club's official website.

"We're stronger with our fans' support.

"If we work together, we'll have a great chance."

Though the attention is on the big game against Juve, Roma's coach, players and fans are also excited to be in the Champions League again.

They begin their European campaign on September 16 at home against Barcelona, who are coached by former Roma boss Luis Enrique.

The Giallorossi were also paired with Bayer Leverkusen of Germany and BATE of Belarus in Group E.

"It looks like it's all to play for behind Barcelona," Garcia said.

"It will be great for our supporters to watch the holders at the Olimpico."

Massimiliano Allegri's Juve made it to the Champions League final last year before falling to Barcelona, and they also face a stern test in Europe's elite competition this season.

They will begin their campaign at Manchester City on September 15 and later take on Europa League winners Sevilla of Spain and Germans Borussia Monchengladbach.

"The Champions League will be a test for them too," Garcia said of Juve's draw.

"Sevilla and Manchester City are strong sides.

"We were lucky to draw Leverkusen in pot two, thus avoiding opponents like Wolfsburg and Borussia Monchengladbach, the two strongest sides in pot four if you ask me."

Allegri is upbeat about the challenges that are ahead for his club, though.

"They are tough games but fascinating ones," he said.

"I'm confident we will pull through."

In the meantime, the Bianconeri will look to get their Serie A campaign up and running.

Brazilian left-back Alex Sandro is looking forward to making his Serie A debut on Sunday.

Sandro joined Juve from Porto earlier this month and could feature against Roma after watching his team's league opener from the bench.

"I'm ready for Roma," Sandro said.

"I'm sure the game against Roma will be difficult.

"I'm feeling better every day, more confident and more in tune with the team."

New signing Juan Cuadrado is also expected to feature after joining on a season-long loan from Chelsea this week.



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