Montella sets goal for Roma

Vincenzo Montella has called on his Roma players to prove they deserve Champions League football next season by finishing fourth in Serie A.

Roma lost 3-2 at home to Palermo last Saturday, a result that left the team sixth, seven points behind fierce local rivals Lazio in fourth.

They have five matches left to try and overhaul the teams ahead of them, with Montella urging his players not to give up yet.

“We must show whether we deserve the Champions League or not on the pitch,” Montella said.

“There is a micro-possibility for us to get back into the race. Lazio might lose in Milan. Then there are head-to-heads.”

“The worst thing that could happen to us would be to have any regrets for not doing something that we could have done.”

“We are going forward with pride and professionalism to honour our fans and ourselves.”

Roma are at home to Chievo on Saturday, with Jeremy Menez expected to start, despite enduring a difficult week off the pitch.

The French midfielder, who is tipped to leave the Stadio Olimpico at the end of the season, had a training-ground row with Montella before his car was pelted with rocks by angry Roma fans.

“We are all sorry about what happened to him, and so are the majority of Roma supporters,” Montella said.

“He is calm and wants to get back to the game.”