AS Roma vs Juventus preview - Del Piero backs team-mates to prosper

Posted Sunday, April 03, 2011 by PA

Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero is confident his team-mates can overcome his absence when they travel to the Stadio Olimpico to face Roma.

Del Piero sustained a left thigh injury during training on Thursday and will be sidelined for two weeks.

His injury is a further blow for Juve coach Luigi Del Neri, who only last week lost striker Vincenzo Iaquinta with a season-ending injury.

However, Del Piero believes his team can do well without him.

"I have confidence in my team-mates," Del Piero said.

"I trust that they will give continuity to our recent performances.

"I would have loved to have played in Rome but I'm sure my team-mates will do a good job and give their all.

"In the past two weeks the team has worked very hard and now is the time to reap rewards."

The Turin giants ended a four-match winless run with a 2-1 triumph over Brescia last time out.

Juve are seventh, five points behind Roma, who hold the last European qualifying spot.

Del Neri, a former Roma coach, can expect a battle in the Italian capital with the Giallorossi looking to extend their unbeaten run in the league to six games on Sunday.

Vincenzo Montella's Roma held Fiorentina to a 2-2 draw last time out and the result left them six points adrift of fourth-placed Udinese, who hold the last Champions League qualifying spot.

Roma captain Francesco Totti, who has struck four times in Roma's last two league games, has urged his team to keep up their form.

"We cannot lose focus," Totti said.

"There are 24 points still up for grabs and we need to get as many points as possible.

"Sunday's game will be a difficult encounter but we have to try to get a win to remain in contention for a top-four finish this season."

Montella will have all of his players available as Montenegrin forward Mirko Vucinic returns from suspension.