AS Roma vs Palermo preview - Roma takeover nears

Posted Saturday, April 16, 2011 by PA

Roma's players should have an extra spring in their step when they take to the field at the Stadio Olimpico to take on Palermo.

In the next 24 hours, Boston executive Thomas DiBenedetto will lead a group of American businessmen who will complete their takeover of the capital club, making the Giallorrossi the first major Serie A club to be controlled by foreign investors.

Last summer, the Sensi family who had owned Roma agreed to relinquish part control of the club to Unicredit Bank as part of a debt-for-equity swap.

DiBenedetto has big plans for the club.

He said: "My dream is exactly the same as millions of fans: to make Roma one of the top clubs in the world - a squad capable of winning the league every year and capable of being more competitive in the Champions League."

The Sensi family faced criticism for not spending much money in the transfer market over the last couple of seasons.

Roma are sixth in the table, four points behind city rivals Lazio, who are fourth and hold the last Champions League qualifying spot.

The Giallorossi go into the game in Rome on the back of a 2-1 victory at Udinese.

Strugglers Palermo, meanwhile, will be bolstered by the return of Ezequiel Munoz, Giulio Migliaccio and Javier Pastore from suspension. The three players missed last weekend's 2-2 draw against Cesena.

That game marked Delio Rossi's return to the Palermo dugout following the sacking of Serse Cosmi.

The Sicilians, who are eighth, have lost six of their last eight league games.

Despite their dismal run of late, Rossi is upbeat about his team's chances.

"I saw a lot of positives against Cesena and this is a good sign," Rossi said.

"We cannot forget that we have done well against the top teams this season, beating Milan, Juventus.

"I expect a good performance from my players."

Palermo beat Roma 3-1 in their first meeting this season at La Favorita.