AS Roma will hope to boost their top four hopes when they welcome a struggling Cremonese side on Sunday.
A pivotal stretch of the season awaits AS Roma as they return to Stadio Olimpico with UEFA Champions League qualification firmly in their sights ahead of the game against Cremonese this weekend. Margins are tightening in the race for the top four, and dropped points now carry consequences that echo beyond a single weekend.
Standing opposite them are a Cremonese side fighting an entirely different battle, one for survival, yet equally desperate for traction as the campaign enters its decisive phase.
Under the stewardship of Gian Piero Gasperini, Roma have developed a clear tactical identity built on organisation, vertical transitions and defensive resilience at home. Yet recent weeks have tested that structure.
The 2-2 draw in Naples felt like both a statement and a missed opportunity. Donyell Malen’s brace highlighted Roma’s attacking edge, but conceding late once again underlined the fine balance between ambition and control. Across meetings with Serie A’s current top five, Roma have taken just two points from six encounters, a statistic that may prove significant if the race for fourth comes down to the wire.
Still, context matters. Roma remain one point clear of Juventus after 25 matches, with Atalanta and Como hovering within striking distance. The equation is simple: consistency against lower-ranked opponents is non-negotiable.
Fortunately for the Giallorossi, the Olimpico has been a bastion of reliability. They have conceded just six goals in 12 home league fixtures, the strongest defensive record in Serie A on home soil. Structure, compact spacing and disciplined pressing have made it extremely difficult for visitors to dictate rhythm in the capital.
Against promoted opposition this season, Roma have been clinical. Four wins from four, with a combined scoreline of 7-1, suggests a side capable of dispatching teams battling at the foot of the table. For Cremonese, the trajectory has been far less encouraging. After a brief spark of optimism in early December, when back-to-back victories offered hope, results have since unravelled.
Since then, the Grigiorossi have collected just four points from 11 matches while scoring only three goals. That return represents the weakest attacking output in the division during that stretch. Their recent 0-0 draw against Genoa was symptomatic: industrious but blunt.
Defensively, the numbers are equally concerning. Cremonese have faced more shots on target than any other team in the league this season, reflecting sustained pressure and an inability to control territory. While their shape can appear compact in phases, sustained defensive workloads eventually lead to cracks.
Manager Davide Nicola has built a reputation as a survival specialist, yet this assignment may prove one of his toughest. His personal record against Gasperini, eight defeats and four draws, adds a psychological subplot heading into this fixture.
There is historical nuance, however. Cremonese famously defeated Roma twice in February 2023, once in the Coppa Italia and once in Serie A, even though they were ultimately relegated that season. Upsets are not impossible, but they require precision and belief that has recently been in short supply.
Roma will likely control possession and territory, pressing high and seeking early breakthroughs to settle nerves. Gasperini’s system emphasises width and vertical passing lanes, aiming to stretch defensive blocks before attacking central gaps.
Cremonese, by contrast, must prioritise compactness and selective pressing. Transitions and set pieces may represent their most viable route to goal. Patience will be key; conceding early could unravel the contest quickly.
The difference may ultimately lie in tempo. Roma tend to accelerate the game at home, backed by crowd energy. If Cremonese cannot withstand the opening phases, momentum could swing decisively. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the clubs could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
AS Roma
With a decisive clash against Juventus looming, AS Roma cannot afford any complacency at the Stadio Olimpico. Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to field his strongest available XI despite the perceived gap between the two sides, particularly given how tight the race for Champions League qualification has become.
Roma’s preparation, however, has been complicated by several injury concerns. Brazilian wing-back Wesley suffered an ankle sprain during the draw in Naples and is unlikely to feature. Paulo Dybala remains sidelined with a persistent knee issue, continuing his frustrating spell out of action. Stephan El Shaarawy is also unavailable, while Evan Ferguson and Artem Dovbyk add to what has become a crowded treatment room at Trigoria. The absence of multiple attacking options reduces Roma’s ability to rotate in the final third.
There is more encouraging news in defence and midfield. Spanish defender Mario Hermoso is nearing full fitness after a minor issue and could return to the squad, while influential midfielder Manu Kone is also expected to be available. Whether either is fit enough to start remains uncertain, but their potential return strengthens Roma’s balance.
In attack, January arrival Donyell Malen continues to impress. The Dutch forward has adapted quickly to Serie A and is averaging a goal every 78 minutes in league play, underlining his sharpness and efficiency in front of goal. With several attackers sidelined, his form is even more crucial.
Roma are expected to deploy a 3-4-2-1 system, consistent with Gasperini’s preference for structured defensive coverage combined with fluid attacking support behind a central striker. In goal, Mile Svilar will continue as the starting goalkeeper, responsible for organising the defensive line and initiating build-up play from the back.
The back three should consist of Gianluca Mancini operating on the right side of central defence, Evan Ndicka positioned centrally, and Daniele Ghilardi on the left. Mancini provides aggression and leadership, Ndicka anchors the line with composure and physical presence, while Ghilardi offers balance and progressive passing from the left channel.
Across midfield, Zeki Celik is expected to function as the right wing-back, contributing defensive cover and width in transition. On the opposite flank, Konstantinos Tsimikas will occupy the left wing-back role, tasked with advancing into crossing positions and supporting forward phases. In central midfield, Bryan Cristante is likely to serve as the deeper orchestrator, offering positional discipline and distribution, while Niccolo Pisilli adds energy and vertical movement between the lines.
In advanced areas, Matias Soule and Lorenzo Pellegrini are projected to operate as dual attacking midfielders behind the striker. Soule brings creativity and direct dribbling, while Pellegrini provides tactical intelligence and late runs into scoring positions.
Leading the line, Donyell Malen will spearhead the attack as the lone striker. His pace, intelligent movement and finishing ability make him Roma’s primary goal threat, particularly given the absence of several other forwards.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Ghilardi; Celik, Cristante, Pisilli, Tsimikas; Soule, Pellegrini; Malen
US Cremonese
Cremonese’s primary concern heading into this fixture remains their bluntness in attack. The front line has struggled for productivity, and that lack of cutting edge has played a major role in their slide down the table. Federico Bonazzoli is enduring a prolonged drought, having failed to convert any of his last 18 attempts on goal this calendar year. His movement remains intelligent, but confidence in front of goal appears fragile.
Alongside him, Jamie Vardy has also stalled. The experienced forward has been stuck on five league goals for an extended period and has not consistently influenced matches in recent weeks. Veteran striker Milan Djuric was given an opportunity to lead the line last weekend, but he struggled to impose himself and failed to provide the physical spark Nicola had hoped for.
In midfield, there is a small boost with Belgian playmaker Jari Vandeputte returning to the bench against Genoa following injury, though he may not yet be fit enough to start. However, Michele Collocolo, Mikayil Faye and Warren Bondo remain unavailable due to injury, limiting depth and rotation options in central areas. There are no fresh suspension concerns, but the absence of key midfield contributors reduces Nicola’s flexibility in shaping transitions and ball retention.
Given their recent scoring struggles, Cremonese are likely to prioritise structure and defensive organisation, hoping to frustrate Roma and capitalise on isolated moments rather than sustained attacking pressure. Cremonese are expected to line up in a 3-5-2 formation designed to provide defensive compactness and midfield density.
Emil Audero is set to start in goal, tasked with organising the back line and coping with what is likely to be sustained Roma pressure. The back three should consist of Filippo Terracciano on the right side of central defence, Federico Baschirotto operating centrally, and Sebastiano Luperto positioned on the left. Baschirotto provides aerial dominance and physical presence, while Luperto offers composure in possession and balance on the left side.
Across midfield, Tommaso Barbieri is projected to operate as the right wing-back, offering width and defensive tracking, while Giuseppe Pezzella will occupy the left wing-back role, expected to contribute crosses when opportunities arise. In the centre of the park, Morten Thorsby brings energy and defensive coverage, Martin Payero adds work rate and transitional drive, and Youssef Maleh provides technical support and link-up play.
Up front, Federico Bonazzoli and Jamie Vardy are likely to partner each other. Bonazzoli will attempt to drop into pockets and combine play, while Vardy’s role will revolve around exploiting space behind Roma’s defensive line with sharp, direct runs.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Audero; Terracciano, Baschirotto, Luperto; Barbieri, Thorsby, Payero, Maleh, Pezzella; Bonazzoli, Vardy
Key Stats
- AS Roma have conceded just six goals in 12 Serie A home matches this season, the best defensive record at home in the division.
- The Giallorossi have won all four matches against promoted sides this season, with an aggregate score of 7–1.
- AS Roma have won six of the last eight Serie A meetings in the capital against Cremonese, averaging three goals per game across those victories.
- Since early December, Cremonese have scored just three goals in 11 league matches, the lowest attacking output in Serie A over that span. They have failed to score in nine of those fixtures.
- Cremonese have faced more shots on target than any other team in Serie A this season.
Player to Watch
Donyell Malen
AS Roma’s attacking momentum in recent weeks has revolved around one name, Donyell Malen. Since arriving in January, the Dutch forward has injected pace, movement and directness into the Giallorossi’s frontline, quickly establishing himself as a central figure in their push for a top-four finish.
Malen’s most striking contribution has been his efficiency. Averaging a Serie A goal roughly every 78 minutes, he has wasted little time adapting to the tempo and tactical demands of Italian football. His brace in Naples showcased not only sharp finishing but also intelligent positioning, arriving between defenders rather than wrestling physically with them.
What makes Malen particularly dangerous in this match-up is his movement against compact defensive blocks. Cremonese are likely to defend deep and crowd central spaces, but Malen thrives on quick combinations and diagonal runs across the back line. His acceleration over short distances allows him to exploit even narrow passing lanes.
With Paulo Dybala and Artem Dovbyk unavailable, Roma’s creative responsibility shifts more heavily toward Lorenzo Pellegrini and Matias Soule supplying Malen. If that link-up clicks early, the Olimpico could witness another clinical display. In a fixture where patience may be required, Malen’s ability to turn half-chances into decisive moments makes him Roma’s most influential weapon.
Prediction
AS Roma 2-0 US Cremonese
AS Roma approach this fixture with far greater urgency than their visitors. With the Champions League race tightening and Juventus waiting on the horizon, this is not a game the Giallorossi can afford to complicate. Their defensive record at the Stadio Olimpico suggests they rarely allow underdogs to dictate tempo, and against a Cremonese side struggling for goals, control should favour the hosts.
Cremonese’s main issue is not structure but incision. Their recent scoring drought, combined with Roma’s compact home setup, makes it difficult to envision sustained attacking pressure from the visitors. Unless they capitalise on a set-piece opportunity or defensive lapse, chances may be limited.
Roma, meanwhile, possess enough quality between the lines, particularly through Donyell Malen’s movement and Lorenzo Pellegrini’s distribution, to gradually stretch the game. It may not be explosive, but it should be efficient to get the job done.
