Embattled Roma can stun Juve, says Salah

Salah has fond memories of playing against the Italian champions having hit a brace for Fiorentina in a Cup semi-final win last year before moving to the capital. 

And despite Roma looking for their first win in four league games the 23-year-old, who has hit five league goals in 13 appearances for the Giallorossi so far, believes Roma will come out on top.

"I think we'll win 2-1," Salah told La Stampa newspaper. "Juventus are a really strong side, but so are we. It's our duty to aim for the best result."

Beating Juventus in their current form looks a tall order, even without Roma's troubles.

Juventus have consigned their poor start to the campaign to distant memory with a run of 10 consecutive league wins that has moved the champions up to second place, just two points behind leaders Napoli.

Roma are battling to adapt to the tactical changes introduced by Luciano Spalletti, who has returned for a second spell at the club after replacing sacked Frenchman Rudi Garcia 10 days ago.

They have drawn their last three games, including a week ago when still winless basement side Verona grabbed a point at the Stadio Olimpico, and slipped to fifth at nine points behind Napoli.

Midfielder Radja Nainggolan is among the players to have switched position, Spalletti moving the Belgian international to a more advanced role as he imposes his own style of play on the team.

- Focus on defence -

Whether Roma can settle in time for Sunday remains to be seen.

Nainggolan admitted Spalletti's changes have been a challenge and hinted Roma might be heading to Turin looking to limit the damage rather than aiming to win.

"We have a new playing style and I hope it will lead to some changes -- we want to have our say in this league," Nainggolan told www.asroma.it

"Spalletti is very clear about the kind of game he wants to see and we're working hard to do that as best as we can."

He added: "It's not easy to catch onto his ideas straight away, but we are trying to do it as best as we can. Right now, we're focusing a lot on our defensive game and counting on individual moves up front for our goals."

Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri, reported to have caught the eye of Chelsea, refused to dismiss Roma's title hopes but believes he has a stronger squad, meaning more options to come off the bench and turn a game if needed.

One such example is on-loan Chelsea forward Juan Cuadrado.

"Roma are one of five candidates for the league title, they're still in contention and tomorrow they'll have their best team out on the pitch," Allegri said Saturday.

"I have players who can change the outcome of the match in the last half hour, including Cuadrado; he has come on a lot and has qualities that can be helpful to me, but I have to make choices."

Having steered Juve to their first league and Cup double in 20 years last season, when the Turin giants were beaten 3-1 by Barcelona in the final of the Champions League, Allegri is aiming for more of the same this season.

"We want to go all the way in the league and in the Italian Cup, and we have two important last 16 encounters (in the Champions League) against Bayern Munich," he added.

"We'll give it everything we have against them to progress. If we can, all the way to the final.

"But in the league we can't focus on the wins we've accumulated so far. We have to think about the ones we still have to collect from here until the end of May."