Livorno, waiting for Juve. Roma inaugurate the 20th Serie A match (18 pm) ahead of time against the amaranths, but their thoughts are already on Tuesday's match, when the bianconeri will arrive at the Olimpico for the quarter-finals of the Italian Cup. The headlines demonstrate this, almost exclusively focused on Juventus, but also the tickets sold (over 50, many more than today). An almost inevitable, yet risky situation. Because Sassuolo and Cagliari teach: when Roma have their heads elsewhere, problems arise.
Rudi Garcia knows this well, as he worked a lot on the mental aspect of his team during the week, as demonstrated by yesterday's press conference. “I want my players to concentrate on the match against Livorno, we have to play as well as against Genoa – explained the French coach. – There are three points to be earned and we will only score them if we have the right attention. I will not make calculations of any kind, neither on turnover nor on warnings".
Clear concept, as always when the Giallorossi coach speaks. One who gave Roma the record for points in a first round, thus earning the absolute respect of the press and fans. And so we can believe him when he presents the match against Livorno as full of pitfalls, especially after the amaranths have sacked Nicola by entrusting the bench to the expert Perotti. “They've changed coaches, but the players are still the same – he explained in the conference. – Unfortunately we don't know 100% how they will play, so we have to focus on ourselves. We'll need a performance at the highest level because the match is important, plus I want to take advantage of the home factor. That's why we need our fans, I hope many come to the stadium."
In short, no calculations, starting from training. “It's not a problem to play on Saturday and Tuesday, if anything, the troubles could come to the third game, even if luckily we'll then have five days to recover – thought Garcia. – That's why I don't need to make turnover”. However, something will be done, also in consideration of the vast choice available to the technician. The richest department is certainly the midfield, which with the return of De Rossi will see everyone able and enlisted. And so here is the first of a long series of ballots between Nainggolan and Pjanic, with the Belgian slightly favored.
Francesco Totti is also at risk on the bench, who could observe a rest shift under Destro, even if Garcia hardly gives up his captaincy. Roma against Livorno should therefore be this: De Sanctis in goal, Maicon, Benatia, Castan, Dodò in defense, Nainggolan, De Rossi, Strootman in midfield, Florenzi, Totti (or Destro), Gervinho in attack.
