Bologna vs AS Roma preview - Cristaldo: Let's go for it

Posted Friday, February 21, 2014 by PA

Bologna striker Cristaldo has called for his team-mates to play without fear when they host Roma on Saturday.

The Rossoblu, who were humbled by Roma 5-0 earlier this season, are 16th in the standings, two points clear of the drop zone after last Friday's 1-0 reverse at AC Milan.

They take on a Roma side sitting second in Serie A having lost just once this season.

"We expect a very difficult game but we want to do the best we can against Roma," Cristaldo said. "We didn't play well against them the last time we faced them but now it's different.

"We are more confident and we defend better, something we showed in our game at Milan last weekend.

"Roma are a dangerous team and if we are not fully focused, they will make us pay.

"We cannot lose concentration for even one minute because they have a lot of quality."

Bologna, coached by Davide Ballardini, will be without suspended captain Diego Perez.

Rivals Roma go into the encounter at the Renato Dall' Ara stadium in confident mood after last weekend's 3-0 triumph over Sampdoria.

Roma coach Rudi Garcia, who turned 50 this week, felt his team answered its critics in the best possible way.

The Giallorossi had been criticised for their previous two performances - a goalless draw at Lazio earlier this month and 3-0 loss at Napoli in the Coppa Italia.

"My team responded in the best way and that was on the pitch," Garcia said. "We are second in Serie A. We are playing incredible football and we are four points ahead of (third-placed) Napoli with a game in hand.

"We have the best defence in Italy and one of the best attacks in the competition, so it means the whole team works well when defending."

Roma are nine points adrift of Serie A leaders Juventus but the Giallorossi have a game in hand.

The visitors will be without captain Francesco Totti as well as defensive trio Maicon, Dodo and Federico Balzaretti, all sidelined through injury.