| Vincenzo Montella’s injury has forced Roma to recall Antonio Cassano for Sunday’s crunch match with Fiorentina.
The ex-Bari starlet had been frozen out of the squad for most of the season due to a contract dispute, as he will be a free agent in July.
However, he made his comeback in the UEFA Cup tie with Strasbourg on Thursday and scored in the 1-1 draw.
The door has been opened for a Serie A return by the injury to Montella and Shabani Nonda’s gastroenteritis, while Francesco Totti is also struggling with fitness problems.
“With the right approach and movement, we can make up for some gaps in our squad,” insisted Coach Luciano Spalletti. “Totti still has pain in his foot, but he’ll grit his teeth and carry on.”
This is the first time that Cassano has been called for a Serie A tie since October 1, when he played in the 3-2 home defeat to Siena.
It would be felicitous timing, as Fiorentina goalkeeper Sebastien Frey is his favourite target, having already put six goals past the Frenchman.
The Giallorossi are also without Cristian Chivu, Amantino Mancini and the suspended Simone Perrotta for this high-profile encounter at the Stadio Olimpico.
Fiorentina have won their last five Serie A games, including a 3-1 victory over Milan that took them into joint second place, but they haven’t conquered the capital since 1991-92 and lost eight on the trot between Serie A and the Italian Super Cup.
Roma squad: Alvarez, Aquilani, Bovo, Cassano, Cufre, Curci, Dacourt, De Rossi, Doni, Mexes, Kharja, Kuffour, Nonda, Panucci, Taddei, Tommasi, Totti, Freddi, Rosi, Okaka, Cerci
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发表于 2005-11-26 20:29:00
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