Capello urges caution

By Tom Kington

AS Roma coach Fabio Capello has warned that Belgian champions KRC Genk will be no pushover in the UEFA Champions League Group C match at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday.

Capello cautious
"For us this is an extremely important game and it will not be a simple one," said Capello. "Genk are a solid unit, play fast counterattacking football and are good in the air so we will have to be careful at corners." However, many in Rome do not share the coach's caution with Roma currently on the crest of a four-game winning streak, including a 1-0 success away to Genk three weeks ago.

Back in form
That optimism only increased at the weekend as Roma cruised to a 3-1 victory over Empoli FC, thanks to the return to form of Cafu, who had looked tired after his FIFA World Cup exertions with Brazil, and French international Vincent Candela, whose powerfully struck goal was his first this season.

Three points vital
Roma have recovered impressively after three consecutive defeats in September, including a 3-0 mauling by Real Madrid CF in their Champions League opener. The players closed ranks in the face of heavy criticism last month, said Capello, who added: "If we can take three points from Tuesday's game we can be a bit more relaxed going into the last two matches of the first stage."

Goals scarce
With four points from three games, Roma are currently second in the group, three points behind Madrid and one clear of AEK Athens FC. But despite lying fourth with just one point and no goals, Genk did enough against Roma on Matchday Three to justify Capello's caution. Even playing with ten men for most of the game, the Belgians looked the more inventive side going forward, with Wesley Sonck a constant menace, while Antonio Cassano's late headed winner was the only goal Roma have themselves managed in the Champions League this season.

No Moons
And while Sonck scored twice for Belgium in last week's EURO 2004™ qualifiers, and twice again at the weekend in Genk's 4-0 league victory over SK Beveren, Roma's strikers have been off the boil lately, with all three goals at Empoli at the weekend coming from midfield players. However, Genk will be missing goalkeeper Jan Moons, following his red card against Roma, and Capello - who may field an unchanged team from Saturday - said of his strikers: "They have always scored and sooner or later they will score again."