Massimo Rastelli believes Cagliari must “raise the tempo and give Roma no time to think, in order to limit them during their best period of form.”
It kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“Roma are going through an excellent period of form, probably their best since Luciano Spalletti took over, doing well physically, psychologically and tactically,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
Massimo Rastelli believes Cagliari must “raise the tempo and give Roma no time to think, in order to limit them during their best period of form.”
It kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“Roma are going through an excellent period of form, probably their best since Luciano Spalletti took over, doing well physically, psychologically and tactically,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
“Spalletti has been able to find the right solution to make the best of his players’ characteristics. We know what their strengths are and how to limit them.
“We’ll raise the tempo and give Roma no time to think, in order to limit them during their best period of form. We need the perfect performance.
“Roma play in a similar style to Genoa and Atalanta, so they don’t stick to one approach, can start in one way and finish in another.”
Cagliari finally got back on track last week by sweeping Genoa aside 4-1 and are now comfortably mid-table.
“Sunday’s victory and the performance confirmed there is a new spirit in the squad,” continued Rastelli.
“I don’t know how I’m going to send five or six players on to the bench tomorrow, as they all deserve to play. Let us not forget the last six months have been very positive, as we have 23 points and are in a solid position.
“The team had some internal frictions and this caused problems, but winning before the winter break helped us focus on what hadn’t worked and what we needed to do next. That’s true for me and the lads.”
Marco Borriello and Panagiotis Tachtsidis are expected to start against their former club, but Simone Padoin, Davide Di Gennaro and Gabriel are absent.
Cagliari held Roma to a thrilling 2-2 draw in Sardinia earlier this season.
“Borriello is a great professional and there are few strikers in Italy like him. Tachtsidis has shown what he can do, even if now and then it’s as if the light goes out. He had trouble recovering from an injury, as his physique takes a while to get into gear.
“I have a few doubts on who to start upfront and in defence. We must play with no weight on our shoulders, knowing that when we have the ball, we must try to score a goal. We mustn’t fear making a mistake.”
Cagliari squad for Roma: Colombo, Crosta, Rafael; Bruno Alves, Cadili, Ceppitelli, Isla, Murru, Pisacane, Salamon; Antonini Lui, Barella, Biancu, Dessena, Faragò. Joao Pedro, Tachtsidis; Borriello, Farias, Giannetti, Sau