Cesena vs AS Roma preview - Garcia sounds the battle call

Roma coach Rudi Garcia has sounded the call to battle ahead of Sunday's game at relegation-threatened Cesena.

The club is mired in a slump that has seen it fall 14 points behind Serie A leaders Juventus.

Roma's Champions League qualification is now in danger with city rivals Lazio just one point behind them and Napoli three further adrift.

Fiorentina, who eliminated Roma from the Europa League on Thursday with a 3-0 triumph at the Stadio Olimpico, are in fifth place and only five points worse of than the Giallorossi.

"Now we must concentrate on Serie A," Garcia told the Italian press. "There are 10 battles remaining for us to defend second spot.

"I will not give up not for a second until the end of the season.

"We need to pick ourselves up.

"We need real men now, I will go to war. Whoever has character and personality must follow me.

"I'm not interested in those that are too weak."

Roma, who were also knocked out of the Coppa Italia at the hands of Fiorentina last month, have won just one and drawn eight of their last 10 league games.

Monday's 2-0 defeat to Sampdoria was Roma's first league loss at home since May 2014.

The Giallorossi are without eight injured players while midfield pair Seydou Keita and Miralem Pjanic are unavailable through suspension.

Cesena are fighting for every point they can get in a bid to defend their Serie A status.

The Emilia-Romagna outfit held Inter Milan to a 1-1 draw at the San Siro last time out to extend their unbeaten run to three games.

Cesena are 19th in the standings, four points adrift of safety.

Domenico Di Carlo's side has collected seven points of a possible nine in their last three games at the Dino Manuzzi stadium.