Piovani warns Barcelona: Roma need a perfect “no-loss” game

The AS Roma play the Barcelona in the second round of the Women’s Champions League, a year after beating them 0-4 in Italy. Ahead of the match, Roma head coach Gianpiero Piovani said they must “face the game in the best possible way” and pointed out what he sees as a flaw in the Barça side: “we would have to find a defect: they don’t have any left-footed player in the squad.”

Piovani added that Roma must deliver “the perfect game to not lose” and highlighted their recent form: “the players started well in recent matches, with a positive, aggressive and decisive attitude.” He also expects rotation, with the Lazio derby coming up at the weekend, but insisted: “think first about Barcelona.”

Roma are under a new project after changing coaches—Piovani replaced Luca Rossettini—after winning the Scudetto and Coppa Italia last season. In Serie A they finished 11 points ahead of Inter. Mundo Deportivo notes that Carla Julià will be available again after winning the U-20 World Cup, while Roma have also handled summer exits including Emilie Haavi, Evelyne Viens and Giulia Dragoni.