Fiorentina vs AS Roma preview - Giallorossi without Osvaldo

Posted Sunday, December 04, 2011 by PA

Roma will have to overcome the absence of the team's top scorer Daniel Osvaldo when they take on Fiorentina in Tuscany.

Osvaldo was left out of the squad by Roma coach Luis Enrique for Sunday's encounter as punishment for last week's altercation with team-mate Erik Lamela.

The Italy international reportedly punched Lamela in the changing room following Friday's 2-0 defeat at Udinese.

"I am very saddened for what happened," said Osvaldo, who has scored five league goals for Roma this season.

"But these are things that should remain in the changing room.

"Just five minutes after it happened, I already regretted my actions and apologised to everyone.

"Erik is a good guy and he is a great player."

Lamela is set to start against Fiorentina alongside Bojan in Roma's attack with captain Francesco Totti playing behind them.

Totti has recovered from a muscular injury that saw him miss last weekend's game.

Roma are sixth in Serie A, with just five wins in 12 games this season.

Lamela's absence is a blessing for rivals Fiorentina.

"It's better for us that he doesn't play," Fiorentina striker Stevan Jovetic said. "I'm sorry for him because he is in great form."

Fiorentina go into the encounter at the Artemio Franchi stadium on the back of last weekend's 2-0 defeat at Palermo that marked Delio Rossi's first defeat since taking over the team last month.

The Viola have mustered just one win in their last nine league games and are 16th in the standings, three points clear of the drop zone.

"There is a lot of work to be done," Rossi said.

"I am nevertheless confident this team can recover and do well.

"There are strong foundations and I am not a coach who is just passing through.

"I will try to bring Fiorentina back to where it belongs."