Sinisa Mihajlovic warned Roma that Sampdoria “won’t be victims at the Olimpico” and quoted JD Rockefeller.
It kicks off on Monday at 20.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“From tomorrow we begin a difficult and stimulating run of games. The next four matches will tell us what we can achieve this season,” said Mihajlovic in a Press conference.
Sinisa Mihajlovic warned Roma that Sampdoria “won’t be victims at the Olimpico” and quoted JD Rockefeller.
It kicks off on Monday at 20.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“From tomorrow we begin a difficult and stimulating run of games. The next four matches will tell us what we can achieve this season,” said Mihajlovic in a Press conference.
“You can’t say we have nothing to lose, because we’re in a great position and intend to stay there. We want to play Roma on level terms.
“I don’t trust Roma’s ‘crisis’ as they have excellent players. We won’t be victims at the Olimpico. As the great business magnate Rockefeller said, there are people who dream of success and others who wake up to go and get it. We are awake.
“The pressure of these games is positive, whereas against smaller sides the pressure is negative, as anything less than a win will be considered disastrous.
“As this time I am convinced we can win, I am not interested in the history of this fixture. I expect a full stadium and a hard-fought match.”
Mihajlovic named his starting XI, confirming Samuel Eto’o will play with Stefano Okaka and Eder, as Fabrizio Cacciatore was ruled out along with Djamel Mesbah, Ezequiel Munoz and Luca Rizzo.
Roma-owned centre-back Alessio Romagnoli starts and Mihajlovic was asked about his own past in the Giallorossi jersey.
“I had my first two years in Italy with Roma, which were not easy times for the club. It’s only normal I became fonder of Lazio.
“Would I sit on the Roma bench in future? I respect my work and am focused on giving my all for Sampdoria.
“I don’t fear anyone, whether they are ahead of us in the table or behind. I only fear ourselves.”
Sampdoria squad for Roma: Frison, Romero, Viviano, Coda, De Silvestri, Regini, Romagnoli, Silvestre, Correa, Duncan, Marchionni, Obiang, Palombo, Soriano, Bergessio, Djordjevic, Eder, Eto'o, Muriel, Okaka, Wszolek