AS Roma vs Cesena preview - De Rossi blow for Roma

Posted Saturday, January 21, 2012 by PA

Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi is unlikely to recover in time for Saturday's home encounter against Cesena.

The Italy international, who has featured in all of Roma's games this season, is struggling with a groin injury and is expected to miss this weekend's encounter as well as Tuesday's Coppa Italia quarter-final at Juventus.

"It's an injury that has affected him for some time," Roma coach Luis Enrique said.

"We hope that he will not be sidelined for long.

"We don't know if he will be available as it's an injury that doesn't stop you from playing but it is painful.

"We will see what the doctors say but the important thing is that he works without pain.

"We need players to be 100%."

With the club's leading scorer Daniel Osvaldo sidelined through injury, the good news for Luis Enrique is that striker Erik Lamela has shaken off an ankle problem sustained in last weekend's game at Catania.

The Giallorossi go into the encounter at the Stadio Olimpico in seventh place but with a game in hand after last weekend's clash at Catania was suspended after 65 minutes.

Luis Enrique, whose side are unbeaten in four games with three wins, expects a drastic improvement from his players than with respect to their performance at Catania.

"We lost control of the game," he said.

"We made too many mistakes and allowed Catania to easily counter-attack.

"We have to show more focus against Cesena."

Cesena, meanwhile, ended a run of three straight defeats with a 3-1 triumph over Novara last time out.

The win, their first since December 10, moved Cesena to 18th place, three points behind Siena, who hold the last position of safety.

"We played a very good game and were impressive in terms of our determination," Cesena coach Daniele Arrigoni said.

"This is the focus and hunger I want to see from my players in Rome."