Rudi Garcia respects Verona and sees a psychological boost for Roma, as “we’ve proved Juventus can be beaten.”
The Sunday Serie A fixture kicks off at 11.30 GMT, click here for a match preview.
Rudi Garcia respects Verona and sees a psychological boost for Roma, as “we’ve proved Juventus can be beaten.”
The Sunday Serie A fixture kicks off at 11.30 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“Verona are having a great season, especially on home turf, and have strong players in attack like Luca Toni and Juan Iturbe,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
“We know that nothing changes our ambition, which is to go out there for the victory and all three points. We know it will be difficult, but we’ve got to make it tough for Verona too.”
The Giallorossi beat Juventus in the Coppa Italia quarter-final on Tuesday night, but remain eight points adrift in the Serie A standings.
“Our destiny is not in our hands – or should I say feet – as there is another team with eight more points. We just have to win tomorrow and carry on like this, to be ready if those ahead of us should suffer a drop in form.
“Considering the way we lost in Turin, it was important to win this game. Being on home turf can help a great deal and we saw that with our fans. We didn’t necessarily need to be reassured, but now we are even more confident that we are strong, because Juve hardly ever lose.
“This can help the team psychologically, but I don’t think it is necessary anyway. Above all it proves Juventus can be beaten.
“Are Roma the side who play the best football? I don’t have the arrogance to say such things. Roma’s football is what I want to see, with enthusiasm and a strong team spirit that never gives in. We have to stay that way until the end of the season.”
Miralem Pjanic picked up a slight injury during the 1-0 victory over Juventus and this week the club announced he is “not for sale” after interest from PSG.
“I liked the response of the club, which was clear. Miralem is not for sale, there are no negotiations and that is all.
“Radja Nainggolan’s arrival won’t push Pjanic away. Great players in a strong squad welcome new arrivals, as it means they make the team better.”
Michel Bastos arrived this week on loan from Al Ain, but is not yet in the squad for tomorrow’s trip to Verona. Meanwhile, Federico Balzaretti has been ruled out for two months by a hernia operation.
“We signed Bastos because he can play all the way down the left flank, either in a forward role like he did at Lille or as left-back. We have no urgency for another defender.”