Cagliari vs AS Roma preview - Conti wants fans' backing

Posted Sunday, September 23, 2012 by PA

Cagliari captain Daniele Conti is seeking a swift resolution to the Sardinian club's ongoing stadium drama, ahead of the behind-closed-doors meeting with Roma.

For the second time this season, Serie A officials and local authorities have ruled the Rossoblu's new Is Arenas base unsuitable to host fans.

Cagliari's former home, the Stadio Sant'Elia, was closed down in March but the new stadium in Quartu Sant'Elena does not yet conform to the required safety standards.

But former Roma midfielder Conti is concerned that his team-mates are at a distinct disadvantage in Serie A having been denied the backing of their home faithful.

He told Gazzetta dello Sport: "I've been captain for a few years, and walking out into an empty stadium certainly doesn't help.

"We want our fans close to us, it's essential.

"I don't want to get into a discussion over who is right or wrong, I just want the situation to be resolved, because a team needs its fans.

"A full stadium would give us a boost."

Director general Francesco Marroccu added: "We respect the authorities and they make the decisions, but we were training at the Is Arenas this week and think we could at least partially open up to the fans from Sunday.

"The few supporters who were there to cheer us on can attest to that.

"From what we can tell, the gates could finally be opened for our game with Pescara on September 30."

A full house or not, Cagliari manager Massimo Ficcadenti is under pressure to register a positive result against the Giallorossi.

The Isolani are without a win in three attempts so far and are also without winger Andrea Cossu due to an adductor muscle strain.

Influential veteran Francesco Totti and Pablo Osvaldo miss out for the visitors, allowing youngsters Erik Lamela and Dani Lopez to come into an attacking trident alongside Mattia Destro.

The Eternal City outfit have been linked with a move for injury-plagued Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi over recent weeks, leading his agent to clarify the 25-year-old's position.

Federico Pastorello told Radio Sportiva: "Zeman is a great coach, but any talk of a future with the Giallorossi is just an idea.

"There is nothing concrete in this story yet. In October Rossi will undergo surgery again and I am convinced he'll return better than ever."