Europe still in Roma´s sights

With one eye on the Champions League, Roma boss Vincenzo Montella has called on his troops to make the most of a trip to Bari on Sunday.

Roma are four points behind Lazio and the fourth and final Champions League place on the Serie A table, and can ill-afford another slip-up the likes of their losses to Palermo and Juventus in the run-in.

Next up is a clash with league leaders AC Milan where, depending on the weekend’s results, it is possible the Rossoneri will be within reach of sealing the Scudetto with victory.

Knowing that taking three points against Milan will be a difficult task, Montella has urged his players to ensure they come away with a win at bottom-placed Bari, who are a mathematical certainty to drop to Serie B next season.

“We’ve got to win and put pressure on those teams in front of us,” Montella said.

“We have a great opportunity to stay in the race and creep up on the leading pack. Lazio are naturally the favourites, as they are currently in fourth place.”

“As for us, we cannot try to make a timetable of what results are needed to climb the standings.”

“It’s going to be a delicate encounter with Bari. We must remain concentrated, as in Serie A you can lose to anyone. Bari will be motivated to win.”