Luis Enrique will look to calm speculation over his stay at the Giallorossi with a win over Catania; looking to wash away the Champions League disappointment.
AS Roma (7) will host Catania (10) in matchday 37 encounter of the 2011/12 Serie A on Saturday, May 5, at 18:45 GMT.
The Giallorossi suffered two consecutive draws against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Napoli-c40003 and Chievo, shutting the team out of contention for the UEFA Champions League qualification spot. The Rossazzurri come into the game suffering a 1-0 defeat at the hands
of Bologna, in their last league fixture.
The last meeting of the two teams in Serie A, ended in a 1-1 stalemate, earlier this season.
AS Roma
The capital side has struggled with consistency throughout the season. However, there is nothing to doubt the fabulous quality of the Giallorossi side that has exhibited frequent moments of magic from time to time throughout the
season, despite exhibiting equally ugly displays on certain instances.
The match against Catania will present a strange struggle for the Maggica. Even if they manage a win from the remaining two games, the team will remain inconsequential to the battle for the last European qualification spot in the
league. The win will help the manager’s chances of keeping the position until the end of the season. However, whether the manager is interested in keeping the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Job-c18684 remains an enigma awaiting a definite answer, after Enrique’s recent press conference.
The confusion surrounding the manager’s stay at the club has grown even more profound; with the director http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Franco-c14050 Baldini claiming that the manager is here to stay only to be followed by sporting director Walter Sabatini, suggesting
that the manager may part company in summer.
There is no doubting the fact that the team has what it takes to conquer a team the class of Catania, but the biggest battle for the Maggica will be against their own demonic rumours, that have ravaged the team with doubt and suspicion.
Catania
UEFA Champions league qualification was once again a dream for the Elefanti that failed to see the light of reality. After a considerably good run in the season, alarm bells are ringing for the club that has won just one of its
last eight games. However, Vincenzo Montella position at the club is safe, and the recent downfall could be attributed to their comfortable position in the season. The team is placed at the 10th spot, and has nothing up or down the Serie A points
table to covet or fear.
The manager has urged the club to beat the 50 point mark in the season; however, whether it will be enough to motivate the team remains to be seen. They are placed at a spot where they have nothing to play for, and the players
already look as if they will rather be thinking about their holidays in the summer.
Team News
AS http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Roma-c31603
Luis Enrique will practically have the full squad to choose his playing eleven in the upcoming match.
Expected starting Line-up: Curci, Rosi, De Rossi, Heinze, Taddei, Pjanic, Gago, Marquinho, Borini, Totti, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Osvaldo-c28821.
Catania
The team will be without the services of injured Osariemen Ebagua and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alessandro-Potenza-c4738.
Expected starting Line-up: Carrizo; Motta, Legrottaglie, Bellusci, Marchese, Izco, Lodi, Almiron, Gomez, Bergessio, Barrientos.
Players to Watch:
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Fernando-Gago-c13652 (AS Roma)
The player may be relatively unheard of in the talented AS Roma squad, but there is nothing to doubt the fact that the defensive midfielder is the find of the season for the Giallorossi. The former Real Madrid player has been at
the centre of the play for the Maggica’s attacking style of play. Although, the midfielder has been overshadowed by the presence of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Daniele-De-Rossi-c10112, the player has exhibited an important role in the midfield, with the frequent changes in the department by
Luis Enrique.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Francesco-Lodi-c13924 (Catania)
The Italian has led Catania attack for most part of the season, and remains one of the most formidable threats in the team for the opponents. The midfielder has not only held the flow of the game for the Elephants, but also scored
six goals and another eight assists for the team. He will be the one to shoulder Catania’s hopes of taking an early lead in the game against the Giallorossi.
Predictions
The game will be a test of character for both the teams, that have little to motivate a killing insistinct. The match is expected to be slow paced in the beginning, but will pick up pace after the first half. The team that takes
the early lead will most likely remain ahead the rest of the match as well.
Prediction: 2-1
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