AS Roma vs Livorno preview - Garcia looking to overhaul Juve
Posted Friday, January 17, 2014 by PA
Roma coach Rudi Garcia has not given up hope that his team can challenge Serie A leaders Juventus for the scudetto this season.
The second-placed Giallorossi are eight points behind Juventus heading into Saturday's match against strugglers Livorno.
"We must win as many games as possible and see what Juve do," Garcia said. "They are eight points clear and are getting stronger but there is still the second half of the season to go.
"The scudetto race is not over."
Roma showed their title credentials with an impressive 4-0 victory against Genoa last weekend. The outcome allowed them to bounce back from a 3-0 loss at Juventus - their first defeat this season.
Garcia could make some changes to his starting XI in view of their Coppa Italia quarter-final against Juventus on Tuesday in Rome.
Roma were runners-up in the competition last season but face a big test to reach the Coppa final this time.
In the meantime, the Giallorossi, who are unbeaten at home, will fancy their chances of taking maximum points against a Livorno side who have mustered just one win on the road so far.
Saturday's match will be Attilio Perotti's first game in charge of Livorno.
Perotti replaced sacked Davide Nicola following Sunday's 3-0 defeat at home to Parma, Livorno's fourth straight loss.
The dismal run of form has seen Livorno drop to 19th place, three points adrift of safety.
"It's obvious that results have not gone our way of late and we all must take responsibility for this," Livorno goalkeeper Francesco Bardi said.
"Nicola had done a good job and we are sorry to see him go.
"We all have to get our act together and try to get as many points as we can from here until the end of the season."
The hosts will be bolstered by the return of defender Leandro Castan, midfielder Daniele De Rossi and striker Adem Ljajic from suspension.
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