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UEFA Cup Preview: Roma v Aris Salonika [Fri Sep 16th, 2005]
AS Roma hope to get a confidence boost with a good performance against Greek outfit Aris.
After an impressive win at Reggina in Serie A’s opening matchday, the side coached by Luciano Spalletti wasted a great chance to keep the momentum going as they lost at home to Udinese last weekend.
The home defeat was just what Roma didn't need in a moment when it seemed the ghosts of last season had finally left Trigoria.
Especially in the second half the Giallorossi appeared to lack character, the same flaw they displayed throughout last year’s nightmare season when they were on the verge of relegation.
And it shouldn’t be a surprise that the defeat arrived in their home stadium, where Roma haven’t won since last February.
Tonight they have the chance to break this jinx against the fallen Greek giants, who were relegated into their country’s second division last May.
“We need to start strongly, because Aris can put us in difficulty as the game moves on. After we fell behind against Udinese I saw the team with the same attitude they displayed last season. The players were already convinced they had lost, when this team can overturn the result against any team. It’s a psychological problem,†Spalletti said during yesterday’s press conference.
The former Udinese coach will rest Chivu, Montella, and De Rossi, while Totti and Dacourt will play from the starting whistle. Cassano and Mexes are out through injury.
Probable Line-ups:
Roma- Curci, Panucci, Kuffour, Bovo, Cufre’, Aquilani, Dacourt, Taddei, Totti, Mancini, Nonda.
Aris- Pourliotopoulos, Domoraud, Naintos, Pourlotopoulos, Gogolos, Papadopoulos, Passalis, Sanjurjo, Garcia, Moisiadis, Nebegleras, Caceres
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