Inter Milan vs AS Roma preview - Roma prepare for seven finals
Posted Friday, April 24, 2015 by PA
Roma know they must rediscover the fighting spirit which helped them finish in second place last season as they hit the home stretch in Serie A.
The Giallorossi travel to the San Siro to face Inter Milan on Saturday having won just two of their last eight league games.
Rudi Garcia's side missed a chance to reclaim second place last weekend after being held to a 1-1 draw at home to Atalanta.
The result left Roma level on 58 points with city rivals Lazio, who stand second on goal difference.
Second place is important because it would ensure direct qualification for the Champions League, with third earning a place in the qualifying stage.
"We are angry with ourselves," Roma playmaker Adem Ljajic said to the Italian press. "We must do better.
"We need to show more grit and determination.
"Our aim is to play in the Champions League next season.
"We have seven games left, including the city derby against Lazio, and we don't want to give up.
"Every game from now on is a final."
Goalscoring has been Roma's biggest problem, with the team having failed to score more than once in a league game since February 8.
"We need to score more goals," Ljajic said. "We don't have a player in this team that scores 25 goals per year.
"It's not important who scores, we just have to create more goalscoring chances and make the most of them."
Roma will face a stern test against an Inter side who have kept a clean sheet in their last two league games.
The Nerazzurri followed their 3-0 triumph at Hellas Verona with a goalless draw against AC Milan in last weekend's derby.
Inter are 10th in the standings, seven points adrift of the last European qualifying spot.
"We were disappointed not to have taken a victory against Milan," Inter midfielder Hernanes said. "We were the better side.
"We are nevertheless on the right path and we have to give continuity to this performance."
Roma defender Kostas Manolas and midfielder Daniele De Rossi are expected to start after both players were suspended last weekend.
Inter welcome back midfielder pair Freddy Guarin and Marcelo Brozovic from suspension but midfielder Gary Medel must serve a one-match ban.
Photos
More»
'World Cup's sexiest fan' reveals she WILL be heading...
Saturday May 18 2024
Real star Endrick banned from having VIRTUAL lover
Saturday May 18 2024
Mikayla Demaiter took social media by storm once more
Friday May 17 2024
Your Say