Roma Coach Aurelio Andreazzoli prepares for tomorrow’s Coppa Italia semi-final against Inter with Daniele De Rossi and promises “this will be Mattia Destro’s game.”
Roma Coach Aurelio Andreazzoli prepares for tomorrow’s Coppa Italia semi-final against Inter with Daniele De Rossi and promises “this will be Mattia Destro’s game.”
The Giallorossi have a 2-1 lead from the first leg when they visit San Siro on Wednesday evening, though Pablo Daniel Osvaldo is suspended.
After Sunday’s 2-1 win away to Torino, the squad stayed in the Novara training camp to prepare for this Coppa tie rather than head back to Rome.
“Miralem Pjanic is not well and I don’t think he will be part of the squad tomorrow, though we’ve still got a day to decide,” Andreazzoli told Roma Channel.
“De Rossi is coming off seven or eight days in which he has done very little training. The situation is improving and we’d be happy to have him at our disposal.
“We rested Destro against Torino precisely so we could give him three or four more days to train and prepare. This will be Destro’s game for many reasons, including his return from injury, his past with Inter and the importance of the fixture.”
The Coppa Italia is becoming increasingly crucial for both clubs, as Roma and Inter currently face a battle just to qualify for Europe.
“At this stage of the season, I think Inter are not the only side to have injury problems. We have them too, but won’t sit here listing them,” noted Andreazzoli.
“I know we are playing against a team of 11 players who will be highly motivated. I brought the squad together today to ensure they don’t underestimate this test because of Inter’s absentees. I probably didn’t even need to warn them, but it’s always best to be sure.
“We are concentrated on our opponents the way we always have been, as we know Inter’s characteristics and will try to find the counter-balances. Inter have a mixture of experience and youth, but so do Roma.”
The Coach tried to dial down the pressure when asked if this was the most important game of the season.
“So was Palermo at that moment, just like all the other games we go into. Thanks to our victory on Sunday, we go into this with more belief. This match could take us into a tremendously important one, the Coppa Italia Final. It’s not something I am accustomed to and I’d love to experience that situation.”
Roma’s arch rivals Lazio have already qualified for the Coppa Italia Final, so that could be a Rome Derby.