Gigi Del Neri has brushed off fan protests and talk of tomorrow’s relegation dogfight with Siena, insisting Roma can still go for a top four finish.


“I honestly didn’t understand why the supporters staged that protest at the training ground this week,” said the Coach. “We played well in Kiev and didn’t allow them to trouble us apart from the two goals. Anyway, only 50 fans complained and we get 60,000 every week at the Stadio Olimpico.”


It has been a tough month for the Giallorossi, who have lost their last four games in all competitions, falling foul of Udinese, Reggina, Dynamo Kiev and Siena.


It is their Coppa Italia opponents Siena who now represent a key moment in their campaign, as the two teams meet again in Serie A on Saturday evening just a week after the 2-1 victory at the Stadio Olimpico.


“The Tuscans are a tough team who is very aggressive on home turf. We have to approach them with the same mentality we showed in Kiev, but I won’t hear talk of this being a relegation dogfight. After all, the Champions’ League places aren’t too far away.”


Recent results have left Roma just one point above the drop zone and a defeat to Siena would send them hurtling into the thick of that battle.


Personnel problems also continue to trouble Del Neri, as his players all commented on how much they liked the new 3-4-3 system used in the 2-0 defeat against Dynamo Kiev.


“I don’t know if I’ll use that tactic again,” warned the ex-Chievo boss. “The defence was positioned well and the midfield helped out, but that can be done with a variety of different systems. It’s more to do with a mentality and aggressive approach than how the players are laid out on the field.”


Christian Panucci returns to the fold a month after he was frozen out following a row with Del Neri, but Philippe Mexes and Mido are out of action.


Roma squad:


Gk: Pelizzoli, Zotti

D: Candela, Cufrè, Ferrari, Dellas, Panucci, Scurto, Sartor

M: Aquilani, D’Agostino, Mancini, Perrotta, De Rossi, De Martino

F: Totti, Montella, Cassano, Corvia, Delvecchio