Totti to miss empty-stadium game

Roma is already without Argentine-born Italy international striker Pablo Osvaldo for the game in Sardinia after he suffered a foot problem in last week's shock 3-2 defeat to Bologna.

Totti has recently picked up a right thigh strain and was restricted to some light training, then a session of physiotherapy in the first of two training sessions on Friday, according to www.gazzetta.it.

Roma coach Zdenek Zeman's injury list extends to Brazilian defender Jose Dodo, American Michael Bradley and two other midfielders in Daniele De Rossi and Simone Perrotta.

Serie A league chiefs said on Thursday that Sunday's match would be played behind closed doors because of the non-conformity of Cagliari's new Stadio Is Arenas ground, which is still undergoing renovation work.

Roma's promising start to the season included a 3-1 humbling of Inter Milan at the San Siro, but last week's defeat has left Zeman's side with only four points from a possible nine.