Atalanta vs AS Roma preview - Totti misses out for Roma

Roma coach Rudi Garcia is aware of how valuable captain Francesco Totti is to the team but believes the Giallorossi can overcome his absence.

The veteran Italian striker was booked during his team's 3-0 triumph over Torino last time out and is suspended for Saturday's match at Atalanta.

"Francesco is a champion," Garcia said to the Italian media. "He knows he is a crucial player for us.

"He will miss the game with Atalanta but we will have him available straight after and this is very important for us.

"In the meantime, we have a good squad with very good players."

Adem Ljajic, who got on the scoresheet against Torino, is set to replace Totti and play alongside Mattia Destro and Juan Manuel Iturbe in attack.

Garcia will also have to make further changes to his starting XI with Brazilian full-back Maicon and centre-back Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa out injured.

Despite the absences, Roma expect to keep up the pace with Serie A leaders Juventus in Bergamo.

The Giallorossi have won eight and lost two games so far and are second in the standings, three points behind Juve.

A win in Bergamo would be a big boost in confidence ahead of a challenging week which will see Roma travel to Russia to face CSKA Moscow in the Champions League on Tuesday before hosting Inter Milan on November 30.

Atalanta coach Stefano Colantuono believes his players will need to be at their very best if they are to surprise Roma.

The Bergamaschi have not come out triumphant since beating Parma 1-0 on October 19.

"In order to have a chance against Roma you have to attack them," Colantuono said. "But you have to be careful how you do that because if you attack them badly, it will backfire.

"We have to be intelligent, we need to be able to read the game well."

Atalanta have drawn their last three league games, including a goalless result at Sassuolo that dropped them to 17th place, two points clear of the drop zone.

The hosts will be without suspended midfielder Luca Cigarini.b