Preview
- Dynamo Kiev vs AS Roma
Crisis club Roma will go into Tuesday's Champions League clash with
Dynamo Kiev desperate to prove they are still a force in European
football.
They will have to do so, however, without captain Francesco Totti
and top-scorer Vincenzo Montella, neither of whom have travelled to
Ukraine.
Luigi Del Neri's side have already been eliminated from Europe's
elite competition after claiming just one point from their opening
four fixtures.
But goalkeeper Ivan Pelizzoli claims they will head into the clash
in a more confident mood and, for the first time this season, will
not be under any pressure.
``We will definitely play with more calmness,'' he said. ``Seeing
as we have nothing to lose.''
Calmness is what Roma lacked in their opening Champions League
encounter against Dynamo in September, and their season has not
recovered since.
The Ukrainian outfit were awarded a 3-0 victory by UEFA and Roma
were forced to play their following two European home games behind
closed doors, after referee Anders Frisk was wounded by an object
thrown from the stands of the Stadio Olimpico.
Since then, the Roma players have had to come to terms with the
departure of coach Rudi Voller, the arrival of Del Neri, and a
series of internal conflicts.
Young striker Antonio Cassano and veteran defender Christian
Panucci have both clashed with their new boss and were excluded
from the squad for several games before peace was finally
restored.
To make matters worse, the club are still trying to fill the void
left by the departure of key players Francisco Lima, Walter Samuel
and Emerson during the summer.
The continued absence of Romanian defender Christian Chivu, still
out of action through injury, and the failure of defenders Matteo
Ferrari and Philippe Mexes to find their form have further hindered
the Giallorossi.
Roma are currently just one point clear of the relegation zone and
18 points behind Serie A leaders Juventus.
``I didn't think the departures of Samuel and Emerson would affect
us as much as it has,'' admitted Pelizzoli, who has conceded 21
league goals this season.
It comes as no surprise that Roma's sporting director Franco
Baldini has come under fire for his summer transfer policy that has
yet to pay dividends.
Totti added: ``This is the worst situation since I have been at
Rome.'' One of the bright spots of a terrible start to the campaign
has been the form of Montella, who only three months ago was on the
transfer list.
However, Serie A's joint top-scorer is suffering from flu and has
not made the journey. He remains in the Eternal City along with
Totti, who has been granted permission to miss the match due to
personal reasons.
Last month's draw against Bayer Leverkusen has given the Italian
team a glimmer of hope of qualifying for the UEFA Cup, but to do so
they must finish in third position.
Dynamo, meanwhile, have all to play for as they are currently level
on seven points with both Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen, while
Roma prop up Group B with one point.
Head coach Yozhef Sabo insists his players will be taking the game
seriously, and reckons it will be business as usual despite a
terrible weather forecast ahead of the Tuesday night clash.
``They say that tomorrow will be frost and a huge snowfall,'' he
said. ``In spite of this we are preparing as usual.
``We consider Roma as a serious team with well-skilled players and
a good coach. ``We are preparing for this game very seriously
because it's wrong to underestimate the opponent before the
fight.''