Hope is called Europe. Of the others obviously, but for once this could be an advantage for Roma. “Before and after the cups you lose a lot of points – explained Garcia bluntly. – Many top-ranked teams have played, we have to take advantage of this situation by winning in Bologna”. Indeed, Dall'Ara's away game (at 20.45) can't go wrong at all. In the event of success, in fact, the Giallorossi would move within 6 of Juventus (with one game less), thus putting pressure on them in view of the derby against Turin. “But watch out for Bologna, their performance has improved in the last few games – Garcia said. – I have a lot of respect for this team, despite having lost a champion like Diamanti they can still be dangerous. For this we have to go there and play 100%”. Roma rested this week and this is undoubtedly an advantage over Juve, Naples and Fiorentina, but they still have their problems. Totti (left buttock problem) and Maicon (first degree injury to the hamstring of the left thigh) will not be available, just like long-term patients Balzaretti and Dodò. Furthermore Torosidis, the natural replacement for the Brazilian full-back, has just returned from a fever attack, and tonight he will be forced to work overtime.
“If he doesn't recover, one of Toloi, Florenzi, Taddei or Nainggolan would play – the response of the French coach. We need to find effective solutions." Easier (so to speak) to replace the captain, given Destro's explosion against Sampdoria. “He's fine, he needs balls in the area and we work for this during the week – admitted Garcia. – He has quality, he is a goalscorer with goals in his blood. He just needs to have more continuity, I expect this from him ”. In short, barring last-minute changes, the anti-Bologna formation is almost done. De Sanctis will be in goal, Torosidis, Castan, Benatia and Bastos in defense, Pjanic, De Rossi and Strootman in midfield, Florenzi, Destro and Gervinho in attack. Ballardini's rossoblu, without the suspended Perez and the unavailable Della Rocca and Pazienza, will respond with a 3-5-2: Curci in goal, Antonsson, Natali, Mantovani in defense, Garics, Kone, Khrin, Christodoulopoulos, Morleo in midfield, Cristaldo and Bianchi in attack.
