Bologna vs Roma preview - Montella confident of Roma success

Posted Wednesday, February 23, 2011 by PA

New Roma boss Vincenzo Montella is convinced his team have the potential to do well this season as he prepares for his first test at Bologna.

The 36-year-old former Roma striker took over at the helm on Monday after the club accepted Claudio Ranieri's resignation, which came after his side relinquished a three-goal lead to lose 4-3 at Genoa on Sunday.

Roma have won only two of their past seven Serie A games and head into their clash at the Stadio Renato Dall' Ara on the back of three straight league defeats.

They lie in eighth place - nine points behind fourth-placed Lazio.

But youth-team coach Montella, who is in his first major managerial position, believes they can turn things around.

"This team has to aim for the maximum because we have the potential to do so," he said.

"I have a big squad and I have a lot of good players to choose from."

Roma will have to show a drastic improvement in defence - their biggest weakness this year. The Giallorossi have conceded 11 goals in their last three league games.

"If the team has given away many goals it is not exclusively the fault of the defenders," said Montella. "The players must all be aware of their duties and play with confidence."

The game was rescheduled after it was abandoned back in January after 17 minutes due to bad weather in Bologna.

Bologna go into the clash on a high after beating Palermo 1-0 on Sunday, Daniele Paponi's last-minute goal handing the Rossoblu their third straight win at home.

Bologna remain unbeaten at home this year and lie 12th - nine points clear of the drop zone.

However, defender Gaby Mudingayi is wary of a Roma backlash and hopes his team are up to the challenge.

"We are up against a team that has changed coach and that will want to win at all costs," he said. "It's going to be a tough contest and we will have to be ready for it."

Roma will be without midfielder Simone Perrotta (ankle) and suspended defender Aleandro Rosi, but welcome back Daniele De Rossi and Marco Cassetti from bans.

Bologna coach Alberto Malesani will be forced to make several changes to his team with Evangelos Moras, Daniele Portanova, Diego Perez and Henry Gimenez all serving one-match bans.