Enrique wary of lowly Lecce

Roma coach Luis Enrique has urged his players to give 100 percent against Lecce in the Serie A on Sunday – or defeat could be on the cards.

The capital club have made an inconsistent start to the season yet were 2-0 winners against Novara before the international break.

Lecce are one of the favourites for relegation, currently sitting 18th on the table, although the Spanish coach believes this weekend’s opponents could provide a stern test for his men.

“I expect three points against Lecce if we all give 100 percent. If we don’t then Lecce can win at the Olimpico,” Enrique said.

“We are not one of those teams who can give 50 percent and still win. If we don’t keep possession, attack space with vertical passes and mark our opponents, then of course Lecce can win.”

The home team are boosted by the news that captain Francesco Totti has recovered from injury and is set to take part in Sunday’s fixture.

“Totti has recovered and can play from the start which is lucky for us. Can Totti play alongside Erik Lamela? All situations are possible. Totti has played many times as a centre-forward, though I think his natural position is trequartista,” he said.

“Do I have a basic Roma team? There are four or five players who more or less play all the time, and the others rotate.”

One man who will not feature anytime soon for Enrique’s men is centre-half Nicolas Burdisso, who snapped knee ligaments on international duty with Argentina last week.

“It’s such a shame as he is a leader in this squad. Unfortunately these things happen when you least expect them. We are ready to go forward and wish him a speedy recovery, as we’ll be waiting for him when he returns,” the coach said.

And he added: “This is a large squad and we are capable of covering for Burdisso.”

Roma go into the game sitting in seventh place after winning four, losing four and drawing two of their opening 10 matches.