Milano, 25 October 2013
This is what the Roma coach had to say: "We are going to Udine and we are going there to come back with all three points. The fact that the captain won't be playing means we have to be flexible on the pitch and we know we can do that. I have various options with Ljajic, Borriello and also Marquinho". Gervinho might make it too"
A Roma team without Francesco Totti and Gervinho is just
not Roma. Rudi Garcia is the first one to admit that only two days after the
Udinese game: "Obviously we are a different team but we still have the
same squad, and it's a good squad. Fair enough, we have lost our captain and
when you lose your best player it's bad news for the whole team. In any case we
have shown we are in control." Gervinho, according to Garcia: "He
isn't 100% fit. We're hoping for some good news tomorrow."
RECORD BREAKERS — Roma are facing the other black and white
striped team in Italy (Udinese) without Totti and Gervinho in their line-up and
they have their hearts set on beating them. In the 2005-06 season Juve won the
first nine games of the season. But Rudi Garcia couldn't care less about
records: "We have our eyes on Udinese. They are tough to beat and haven't
lost a home game in twenty-two matches. The players are top class and are great
on the break. I'm hoping we can pull out our best
football and pocket all three points."
CHANGES— Garcia wasn't giving anything away about the team
he had picked and even found time to joke with reporters: "I just keep
talking to make things more difficult for you guys." This rings true as he
shuffles all the players he has in his deck without wasting even one of them.
"I won't be announcing the team before Sunday. Ljajic and Borriello
instead of Totti and Gervinho? There are a whole host of options: Pjanic can be
pushed further ahead, Marquinho could play up front, as could another
midfielder if Bradley can handle it. Alternatively, I have Taddei and the
youngsters. When it boils down to it I can chop and change and a team that can
deal with that can go far." The fact that Totti won't be playing could
probably influence the game: "Francesco is one in a million and the team
always rally around to play for him, but Borriello is a striker and has
different qualities. There's no way we can get through thirty-eight matches
with the same eleven players. Nature hates empty spaces: if somebody is
missing, someone else takes over." Of course Garcia is hoping that
everyone can be fit again as soon as possible: "I hope Totti and Gervinho
can bounce back from injury soon. Hopefully the squad can cover that problem
and lady luck can be on our side. It's crucial that they all train well
together: take for example Burdisso. He's doing extremely well."
LJAJIC— If Ljajic doesn't play we might have the first
"issue" of the season. "Adem had a few problems settling in, but
he is one of those players who can make the difference and we need him to hold
onto our position as best attack in Serie A. In my opinion he's fully fit. He
knows he has to work hard but he's young and confident when he plays."
Ljajic could be one of the penalty takers - Roma have scored four out of four
and four different players have taken them. "I have a list of them which I
have worked out with the players, but that's my business," said Garcia
with a smile on his face.
no stats — The French
coach wanted to underline one factor: "I want to think ahead to this match
without looking back at what happened in the past. That's the easiest way to
mess up." There was no mention of prize money for winning the league
either: "That's a matter for the president. There's a clause in every
player's contract about it." They still have a long way to go before they
see any money .
Source : Marco Calabresi- La Gazzetta dello sport
