AS Roma vs Fiorentina preview - Pjanic wants end to draws

Posted Saturday, December 07, 2013 by PA

Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic has called on his team-mates to sharpen their focus on winning Sunday's match against Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico.

The Giallorossi have collected four points from their last four league games - all from draws - and are second in the standings, three points adrift of Serie A leaders Juventus.

Roma were held to a 1-1 result at Atalanta and the outcome benefited third-place Napoli, who reduced their gap with the Romans to just three points.

"It's a pity we didn't get the victory in Bergamo," Pjanic said.

"We didn't play well in the first half and we suffered a drop in concentration and Atalanta made us pay for that.

"We must put that result behind us and focus on getting three points against Fiorentina.

"It will not be easy because Fiorentina play well, they are a dangerous team with good technique.

"It's going to be a beautiful game."

Rudi Garcia's Roma go into the match knowing that anything but a defeat will see them break a club record.

The Giallorossi have never started a season without losing a game in their opening 15 matches.

The Eternal City giants will have to show a vast improvement in attack for they have found the back of the net just three times in their last four games.

Rivals Fiorentina go into the encounter on the back of Monday's 4-3 triumph against Hellas Verona, their eighth win of the campaign.

The Viola, coached by former Roma player and tactician Vincenzo Montella, are fifth in the standings, level on 27 points with Inter Milan, and are hoping to claim another major scalp this season.

The Florence outfit beat reigning champions Juventus 4-2 back in October before winning 2-0 at AC Milan last month.

"We will do everything we can to beat Roma," Fiorentina defender Nenad Tomovic said. "We are aware of the challenge we face because Roma have not lost this season but we hope to change that come Sunday."

Giuseppe Rossi, who is Serie A's top scorer with 12 goals, will be put to the test by a Roma side that boasts the best defensive line in the competition.

Roma have given away just four goals in 15 games so far.