The suspended Francesco Totti will be missing for Roma in a crucial match which could decide the outcome of the Champions League and Uefa Cup places.
[B]BACKGROUND[/B]
Francesco Totti has been once again one of the most important players this season.
The Roma captain has scored twelve goals and make a number of assists for fellow strike partner Vincenzo Montella. Totti’s presence will be hugely missed in Sicily where the visitors will get a wild reception at La Favorita in Palermo.
The three-nil win over Livorno last weekend has ensured that the club from the capital remain in the battle for one of the Champions League places. A mere five points separate third placed Inter and seventh place Roma with Sampdoria, Udinese and Palermo bunched in between. The match down south has turned into a six-pointer as the loser could drop out of contention for a top four finish.
Palermo were expected to have a good season under the managerial guidance of Guidolin and the finance of Zampagna, but they have done more than what was expected. Their investment into players such as Andrea Barzagli, Christian Zaccardo and Simone Barone has helped both the club and the players. All three are now regulars in Marcello Lippi’s Italy squad thanks to Palermo’s wonderful campaign. Although most of their success on the pitch has been credited to the veterans Eugenio Corini and Lamberto Zauli, who have added a certain style to Palermo’s play.
The Sicilians best performances have come at the Renzo Barbera stadium where they have held Milan and beat Juventus. This could spell danger to the Giallorossi’s European ambitions. Roma will need an inspirational performance from Antonio Cassano with the absence of ‘il capitano’ Francesco Totti if they are to take a win away from Sicily.
[B]TEAM NEWS [/B]
Palermo
Mutarelli and new signing Davide Possanzini miss this important clash with Roma. Guidolin is likely to play the more adventurous 4-2-3-1 with Santana on the wing and Luca Toni as a lone front man.
Roma
Mexes will continue his long-term suspension which will finish in April. To make matters worse, Leandro Cufre is likely to miss the game and Abel Xavier will deputise. The worst news for Roma is that Francesco Totti will be suspended, but Antonio Cassano will come back into the side.
Roma (4-3-2-1):
Pelizzoli; Abel Xavier, Ferrari, Dellas, Panucci; Perrotta, Dacourt, De Rossi; Cassano, Mancini; Montella
[B]PLAYERS TO WATCH [/B]
Eugenio Corini
The veteran playmaker has been arguably the best player in Serie A this season with faultless displays every week. His experience can lead Palermo onto even bigger things this season than what was expected.
Antonio Cassano
His performance will need to be the best of this season if Roma are to gain the three points. So far he has been very inconsistent this term, but there is no doubt that on his day he can take Roma to any place and put in a performance which will give the Giallorossi three points.
发表于 2005-2-28 02:11:00