Rudi Garcia wants to see “enthusiasm and a celebration” in Roma–Juventus” data-scaytid=”1″>Roma-Juventus, but is without Morgan De Sanctis.
It kicks off on Sunday at 16.45 UK time (15.45 GMT), click here for a match preview.
Rudi Garcia wants to see “enthusiasm and a celebration” in Roma-Juventus, but is without Morgan De Sanctis.
It kicks off on Sunday at 16.45 UK time (15.45 GMT), click here for a match preview.
“This is the last game at the Olimpico in an extraordinary season for us,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
The Scudetto has already been decided, making this a battle purely for pride, as Roma want to show they are not necessarily inferior to the Bianconeri.
“We want to put in a good performance and I hope it will be a celebration for everyone. We had a record-breaking campaign, but in front of us Juventus broke even more records.
“I said that next season we might put together fewer points and win the Scudetto anyway. What proved the difference between Roma and Juve? I don’t know and today I don’t care, as I want to put out the best possible team and enjoy the game, playing it at 100 per cent.
“I want to see a Roma who play with enthusiasm and feel pleasure in playing a big game like this. It has to be a pleasure to play at this level.”
If Roma win tomorrow, it will mean over the course of the season they have beaten all 19 Serie A teams.
“The table is what it is, Roma second and Juve first. We beat Juve in the Coppa Italia and lost in Turin, so we will be very motivated.”
Garcia confirmed goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis has a bruised arm he suffered against Catania, so 23-year-old Polish talent Lukasz Skorupski will start in goal, while Douglas Maicon needs a late fitness test.
Asked about Antonio Conte’s future at Juventus, Garcia went back on more old wounds.
“Juve and their Coach will do what they think is best. The important thing is that Roma are competitive next season and we are working on it. Speaking of Conte, I didn’t like some of his statements, let’s say looking for controversy, but someone who gets 96 points can only be a good Coach.”
Garcia was optimistic on Miralem Pjanic’s contract renegotiations and insisted it was “not decided” whether he’d leave on Tuesday to join Bosnia’s World Cup squad.
“He wants to remain, the President wants to keep him, so a compromise will be found.”
Would the Roma tactician ever accept the job at Juventus, if asked?
“I am the Coach of Roma, proud to be here, I want to stay for a long time and it would be an honour to win even half of what Sir Alex Ferguson achieved at Manchester United.
“There is rivalry between the clubs, but this must be purely sporting rivalry with fair play. I don’t want to put negativity into the game, as football must be a festival for children too.”