Ivan Juric will be keen to register a significant result to galvanise AS Roma as they host title-chasing Inter Milan in Rome.
AS Roma fans are still coming to terms with Ivan Juric’s sudden appointment at the cost of sacking club legend Daniele De Rossi as the club get set to lock horns with Inter Milan on Sunday. The new manager’s early form did show promise, as he went on to win his first two league games. But their recent run-in has left a lot to be desired.
A demoralising defeat to Elfsborg followed by a draw to AC Monza sums up the inconsistencies in this Roma side, something the manager will want to see quick improvements in. Top scorer Artem Dovbyk was on target again as Juric’s side were forced to settle for a point in the end.
However, there are plenty of challenges ahead for Juric to make a case for himself and the fans. The manager does not eye a solid result against reigning champions Inter Milan at Stadio Olimpico. However, their form against the Milan outfit is not great, as they have lost their last three games at this venue against their visitors.
Despite a minor hiccup in the derby loss to AC Milan, reigning champions Inter Milan are back in the mix for the Serie A title after regaining their form. The Nerazzurri are only two points behind leaders Napoli on the table, and they are slowly getting back to their best before a crucial period.
It is imperative for Inter Milan to hold on to their current momentum against AS Roma. Since that loss to AC Milan, they have picked up two league victories and one in the UEFA Champions League. Simone Inzaghi will know the kind of hold his counterpart and predecessor Antonio Conte has on the title race, as he will be alert to the fact that Inter Milan might have to be perfect.
Some of the Inter Milan players are yet to hit their heights this term. But there are those like Marcus Thuram who have picked up the slack from others and continue to perform brightly. Inzaghi will come to Stadio Olimpico with confidence owing to a formidable record at this venue for Inter Milan, something he will want to continue.
Team News & Tactics
AS Roma
AS Roma fans were fearing the worst as Artem Dovbyk’s knee issues flared up while on international duty. But the top scorer has not been cleared to play at the weekend. Meanwhile, fellow attacker Paulo Dybala is also fit again and will start on Sunday for Roma.
Stephan El Shaarawy and Alexis Saelemaekers are Juric’s only absentees. Enzo Le Fee is also a doubt but expected to make the match in some capacity. Mario Hermoso, Evan Ndicka, and Gianluca Mancini are the ideal choices for the three centre-back slots.
Bryan Cristante and Manu Kone are the ideal choices for their midfield. Zeki Celik and Angelino will feature in the wing-back roles, while Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini will support top scorer Dovbyk in the attacking third.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Celik, Kone, Cristante, Angelino; Pellegrini, Dybala; Dovbyk
Inter Milan
Simone Inzaghi does not have too many absentees on his side and will be thankful that his players returned from the international break without much complaint. Tajon Buchanan and Piotr Zielinski are the only notable absentees ahead of the visit to Rome, while Nicolo Barella has fully recovered from his recent problem and is pencilled in to start for Inter Milan against AS Roma.
From here on, Inzhagi will begin to play his strongest eleven in games as he looks to build further momentum ahead of some crucial fixtures in the league and abroad. Benjamin Pavard, Francesco Acerbi, and Alessandro Bastoni are all pencilled in to start in the back three, with Matteo Darmian likely to be preferred over Denzel Dumfries in that eight-wing-back slot.
With Nicolo Barella’s return, Inter will have a familiar midfield setup, with the likes of Hakan Calhanoglu and Henrikh Mkhitaryan joining the Italian international. The in-form Federico Dimarco will be more than just a wing-back, as he often tends to play more like a left attacker.
Inzaghi will look to pair the lethal Thuram with skipper Lautaro Martinez, with the latter in a clear need to pick up form.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Sommer; Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni; Damian, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez
Key Stats
- AS Roma have lost their last three games against Inter Milan at Stadio Olimpico.
- AS Roma have scored in each of their last 24 top-flight home matches.
- Inter are undefeated in 36 of their last 38 matches in Serie A.
- Inter have won seven of their last eight matches against Roma in all competitions.
- Inter scored at least two goals in all of their last seven away matches against Roma.
Player to Watch
Marcus Thuram
Thuram helped himself to a hat-trick against the in-form Torino before the international break, which took his tally to seven goals in as many Serie A games this season. Two other Inter Milan stars have achieved the feat in this century, as Thuram joined Christian Vieri and Lautaro Martinez in that regard.
Thuram’s big thing this season has been his effectiveness on all fronts, especially when Martinez has struggled for relevance. His big presence up front and goalscoring form allow the Argentine to recover into top form, as one could only imagine how the duo will perform when they are both in their strides.
Prediction
AS Roma 0-2 Inter Milan
AS Roma may have the home advantage, but they are far from competing with the likes of Inter Milan when comparing their form and quality. However, Serie A is always a hive for surprise results, and the home fans will be hoping their side will have favourable luck on Sunday.
However, the form in which Inter Milan come to Stadio Olimpico will point towards only one possible outcome: a big win for Simone Inzaghi’s side. The reigning champions also have the defensive resilience to keep a clean sheet, something they will aim for on Sunday.
