Catania vs Roma preview - Familiar faces await Montella

Posted Saturday, January 14, 2012 by PA

Catania coach Vincenzo Montella will be facing his former team as the Sicilians go up against Roma at the Angelo Massimino stadium.

Montella was in charge of the capital city giants last season but was not offered a contract extension, with Roma opting to sign Spanish tactician Luis Enrique instead.

But the former Roma striker insists that there is no extra incentive on Saturday and appears to be treating it like any other match.

"There is no desire for revenge," Montella said.

"But if we are talking about a hunger to win, then there is plenty of that as I'm very competitive.

"Just because it's my former club doesn't mean this encounter changes something from an emotional standpoint.

"I am very happy in Catania and have found the ideal environment to work in."

Montella expects his players to raise their game after last weekend's disappointing 2-0 defeat at Bologna, their fifth loss of the campaign.

"This was the worst game since I've been in charge of Catania," Montella said.

"(It was) a terrible performance, but I won't make a drama out of it.

"Hopefully, we will learn from this."

Catania lie eighth in the Serie A standings, one place and five points behind Roma.

Roma, meanwhile, look to end a fantastic week on a high note.

The Giallorossi followed their 2-0 league triumph over Chievo with a 3-0 midweek victory over Fiorentina to reach the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia.

The Romans are going after their fourth straight triumph in the league.

"I think we can aim high this season," Roma striker Erik Lamela said.

"We are finding our rhythm and we must give continuity to our results."

With the team's leading scorer Daniel Osvaldo sidelined through injury, Roma fans will be hoping captain Francesco Totti can increase his goal tally.

Totti struck twice from the penalty spot last weekend to end his goalscoring drought this season.

The hosts will be without defender Giovanni Marchese and midfielder Marco Biagianti, with both players suspended.