Tuesday 28 October 2008

Serie A - Week 9: Midweek Preview

Roma coach Luciano Spalletti has admitted his job is on the line when his struggling team take on Sampdoria at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday night.

The Giallorossi have taken just seven points out of a possible 24 this season, and on Sunday slumped to a 3-1 defeat at Udinese.

That loss, their third consecutive setback, saw Roma slip to 15th in Serie A, 10 points behind the league leaders and just one point above the relegation zone.


Spalletti conceded the team's current run means he is facing his most difficult period since he joined Roma from Udinese in the summer of 2005.

"Yes, I do feel that my job is at risk." he said. "But this is the destiny of any coach.

"When things don't go well it's logical and normal to feel that your job is at risk."

Spalletti has welcomed the club's decision to train away from Rome in the hope his team can spark their season into life.

"The club needs to evaluate the situation and they must have everything under control," added Spalletti. "That is why I completely agree with the decision to train away from Rome."

Defending champions Inter will be eager to return to winning ways when they travel to Florence to meet in-form Fiorentina.

The Nerazzurri were held to a goalless draw at home to Genoa on Sunday, a result which allowed Udinese and Napoli to join them at the top of the Serie A standings with each team having accumulated 17 points.

The Viola host the Italian champions in buoyant mood after Sunday's 3-1 win at Palermo marked their fourth consecutive triumph.

Udinese and Napoli will be hoping Fiorentina can claim another win and open the door for one of them to take over sole leadership.

The Friuli club travel to Catania, looking to end the Sardinian outfit's unbeaten run this season at the Stadio Angelo Massimino.

Napoli entertain bottom side Reggina on a high following wins against Juventus and Lazio.

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has demanded an improvement when his team take on Siena at the San Siro following an unimpressive display in their 1-0 triumph at Atalanta.

Ricardo Kaka's late goal allowed the Rossoneri to cut the deficit to the league leaders to just one point but Ancelotti admitted his team were lucky to emerge victorious in Bergamo.

Juventus appear to have put their supposed crisis behind them after triumphs over Real Madrid and Torino in the past week.

And Claudio Ranieri's side will be expected to clinch another win at promoted side Bologna and move up from their current mid-table position.

Lazio travel to Verona to meet promoted Chievo determined to avoid their third consecutive defeat.

Having won four of their first five games, Delio Rossi's men have only managed to clinch one point in their last three encounters.

Palermo take on a Lecce side that have yet to lose at home while Atalanta will be looking to bounce back from Sunday's defeat to Milan when they take on Torino at Turin's Stadio Olimpico.

Genoa will fancy their chances when they host Cagliari with Gian Piero Gasperini's team having won all of their games at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris this season.

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