Udinese vs AS Roma preview - Montella urges Roma riposte
Posted Saturday, April 09, 2011 by PA
Roma coach Vincenzo Montella has told his players they must move on quickly from the disappointment of last weekend's 2-0 defeat to Juventus if they are to retain their European ambitions.
The Eternal City giants visit Udinese on Saturday with a six-point gap between them and the last Champions League place and knowing time is running out to bridge that margin with seven games left to play.
Their hopes of doing that were, however, dealt a major blow last weekend as they conceded their second defeat at the Stadio Olimpico this season which left them in sixth place.
"When you look at the table then we have a duty to keep on trying to achieve our aim," Montella said. "We have to continue on that path without looking back.
"We must now turn the page, and think of the match at Udinese, which is a very important game for us."
The Romans suffered a blow ahead of Saturday's match with French defender Philippe Mexes sidelined for at least four months with a knee injury.
Mexes got hurt during the game against Juve.
Udinese, meanwhile, will also be looking to bounce back after a 2-0 setback.
The Bianconeri will be seeking home comfort after Sunday's setback at struggling Lecce ended their 13-match unbeaten run.
Despite the reverse, Udinese held on to fourth spot in Serie A as fifth-placed Lazio fell 4-3 at Napoli.
However, a defeat this weekend against Roma could see Lazio leapfrog them into fourth place provided the Biancoceleste beat Parma.
Udinese, who are two points clear of Lazio, will fancy their chances for they have not lost at the Friuli stadium since September 19.
"Saturday's match is extremely important for us and for Roma," Udinese striker Antonio Di Natale said.
"We want to finish in the top four and in order for that to happen we must beat Roma."
Di Natale, who is the joint top scorer in Serie A with 25 goals alongside Napoli's Edinson Cavani, will lead Udinese's attack.
Udinese coach Francesco Guidolin will be without suspended midfielder Gokhan Inler.
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