Veteran boss Claudio Ranieri will open his third spell as AS Roma boss with a visit to Antonio Conte’s league leaders Napoli.
In what appears to be a very closely fought title race in years, there are six teams in the mix, with only two points separating first from sixth. Between Napoli in the lead and Juventus in sixth, the remaining four teams all have 25 points apiece, and Antonio Conte’s men only have a slender one-point lead to protect at the top ahead of the visit of AS Roma.
Until Napoli have a favourable cushion at the top, every game is a must-win for the former Champions, starting with their home game against AS Roma. For most parts, they have been strong in the league, but hiccups in the last two games have allowed the other rivals to inch ever so closer to them.
While they have had three back-to-back tough fixtures against AC Milan, Atalanta and Inter Milan, Napoli have managed a win in only one. In the game before the international break, Conte’s men drew to title rivals Inter Milan, as a Hakan Calhanoglu penalty cancelled out Scott McTominay’s opening goal. Now they are waiting for a visit from a troubled Roma side, as Conte will aim for a win in this particular derby.
The Derby del Sole might remain a prestigious fixture in the Italian calendar. Still, for Roma fans, it is a dreaded one this time around, given the contrasting fortunes of their team compared to the visitors. The Roma board, in typical fashion, decided to part ways with Ivan Juric just at the stroke of the international break, which only angered their fans more. However, the arrival of Claudio Ranieri might be designed to calm things down.
The former Premier League-winning manager has little to show in terms of the recent upturn in his management jobs. But there is a different combination at play with Roma. It will be Ranieri’s third spell as the Gialorossi boss, and the game against Napoli one is probably his toughest assignment to date as AS Roma boss.
Juric’s departure was confirmed in the aftermath of losing four out of their last five league games, including back-to-back defeats with a scoreline of 3-2 for Hellas Verona and Bologna, respectively. Hence, as they go visiting the league leaders to open Ranieri’s account at Roma, who will aim for a victory, that will also give him some much-needed momentum ahead of two key fixtures against Tottenham and Atalanta.
Team News & Tactics
Napoli
Antonio Conte has a fully-fit squad at his disposal, barring the availability of midfielder Michael Folorunsho, although he’s only been a bit-part player at best. Hence, the Napoli manager will not worry too much, as he will have the opportunity to choose from a full squad of players against AS Roma.
There might not be many surprises when it comes to the team selection as Conte might already have an established group of players from which he might choose. For instance, he might choose Stanislav Lobotka over Billy Gilmour while keeping Scott McTominay and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa in his midfield.
Amir Rrahmani and Alessandro Buongiorno are pencilled in for the central defensive roles, with Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Mathias Olivera the likeliest choices in those full-back roles.
This game will also be the first time that Romelu Lukaku faces AS Roma since leaving them in the summer, where he scored 21 goals last season. The Belgian forward will be the biggest worry for the visitors, as Matteo Politano and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia provide support from a wide range of areas.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka, McTominay; Politano, Lukaku, Kvaratskhelia
AS Roma
Claudio Ranieri might have to choose from a talented group of players for his first lineup to face Napoli, as there are some injury-led absentees ahead of the clash in Naples. Alexis Saelemaekers, Mario Hermoso and Eldor Shomurodov are absent before this visit to Napoli.
The big doubt for this clash is that of Paulo Dybala. The Argentine might still get the end in the frontline should Ranieri deem his fitness levels enough, considering the muscle problems he’s had this term. Without Dybala, Roma’s win rate drops by a staggering 13%, and the chances of him not starting are high.
Ranieri might play with a pragmatic approach, which could see him adding more protection to his back four and relying on Artem Dovbyk to add the goals. The Ukrainian international is still struggling somewhat with a knee problem but seems fit enough to lead the line.
Bryan Cristante, Manu Kone and Lorenzo Pellegrini will be the midfield trio for Ranieri’s first game in charge, with Stephen El Shaarawy and Matias Soule likely to act as wide men in a strange wing-back role.
Probable Lineup (4-5-1): Svilar; Celik, Mancini, Ndicka, Angelino; Soule, Kone, Cristante, Pellegrini, El Shaarawy; Dovbyk
Key Stats
- Napoli are undefeated in ten of their last 11 matches in Serie A.
- Napoli are undefeated in all competitions in their last six home matches against AS Roma.
- AS Roma have lost three of their last four Serie A games.
- AS Roma have won none of their last nine Serie A away fixtures, stretching back to last season.
Player to Watch
Romelu Lukaku
There are some potential key players in this Napoli star, but none are bigger and more experienced than Lukaku. Antonio Conte is a serious manager and pushed to sign the Belgian for exactly the position Napoli find themselves in, as the striker can prove his worth as the game changer in situations like the one the team are in.
Napoli certainly needs big personalities in games, and Conte’s trust in Lukaku will bring the confidence needed for the striker to shine. With every game a must-win for Napoli, the Belgian has the opportunity to make himself very big, and his goals could secure three points against AS Roma.
Prediction
Napoli 2-1 AS Roma
AS Roma are coming into this clash against Napoli at the back of three league defeats in their last four games, and the pressure is truly on Claudio Ranieri to deliver right off the bat. However, the fixture list is not so favourable and adds to the nervousness ahead of the veteran manager’s first game.
Napoli, on the other hand, is eager to get back to winning ways and will use this opportunity as well as the pressure on Roma. Antonio Conte will want a perfect performance on Sunday to get their bearings right, and this game will end up in favour of the league leaders to help them retain the lead at the very top.
