Roma vs Cagliari preview - Ranieri on revenge mission
Posted Saturday, January 22, 2011 by PA
Roma coach Claudio Ranieri has urged his side to take revenge for the shock 5-1 defeat at Cagliari earlier this season when the two teams meet again.
Ranieri's men were humiliated in Sardinia in their first game on the road this campaign.
"Cagliari scored five goals against us the last time we played them and I have not forgotten that," Ranieri said.
"That result still burns."
Fortunately for Ranieri, confidence is soaring in the Roma camp.
They head into this weekend's clash at the Stadio Olimpico on the back of a derby win against Lazio in midweek.
The Giallorossi, who edged Cesena 1-0 on Sunday, followed that up with a 2-1 victory against their city rivals to reach the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia.
Roma will face Ranieri's former club Juventus in the last eight of the competition but the former Chelsea manager's only focus is on Saturday's match.
"Right now I am more worried about our next game against Cagliari than about Juventus," Ranieri said.
A win would see Roma climb above Lazio into second, provided the Biancoceleste lose at Bologna.
Roma are fifth in the standings, just two points behind second placed Lazio after 20 games played.
The hosts will be bolstered by the return of captain Francesco Totti.
Totti missed the midweek game against Lazio through suspension.
This is good news for Ranieri considering Roma have lost Brazilian forward Adriano to a shoulder injury.
Totti will partner Roma's top scorer Marco Borriello in attack.
Cagliari, meanwhile, travel to the Italian capital on the back of two straight wins.
Last weekend's 3-2 triumph over Palermo lifted the Sardinians to ninth in Serie A.
"We are on the right path," said Cagliari coach Roberto Donadoni.
"I'm very pleased with my team's performance but we cannot relax.
"There are still many games left to play and things can turn around when you least expect it.
"That is why we have to remain humble and focused."
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