AS Roma are under pressure to get closer to the top order in Serie A as Genoa come to the Italian capital in what could be a key clash for both teams.
Gian Piero Gasperini will be concerned over AS Roma’s recent results, as the capital giants have slipped down from a promising position in the standings ahead of the game against Genoa on Monday. Three losses in their last four Serie A clashes have dented their hopes of a concerted title challenge, but it was a top-four place that was always the key objective this season.
Before Christmas, Roma lost fellow top-four rivals Juventus, which allowed the Bianconeri to close the gap to a single point, and at the time of writing, the Turin outfit have overtaken them in the standings. Hence, there is pressure on Gasperini to get back into the top four with their next chance, which falls flatly against a visiting Genoa side.
There were always doubts over Roma’s ability to challenge for the title, let alone win it, and the fans will want that coveted UEFA Champions League spot this term. For Gasperini, it is imperative to bring about the level of consistency the team had in the earlier run this season, something he hopes to start against Genoa.
The big story of this game is the return of Roma great Daniele De Rossi, with the former midfielder also being at the helm at the capital club for a brief period. He was sacked after 30 games in charge. De Rossi will now face his former side as an opposing manager for the first time.
Ever since his appointment at Genoa, the AS Roma legend has taken them out of their perilous position left by former boss Patrick Vieira, and now, there is hope of getting things rolling positively. Their last two results have ended in defeat, which were two tough fixtures ahead of the festive period.
Despite their revival under De Rossi, Genoa are still very close to the danger zone, as they are only two points ahead of 18th-placed Hellas Verona, and they need many more positive outcomes in games to steer clear.
Team News & Tactics
AS Roma
AS Roma are missing Neil El Aynaoui and key defender Evan Ndicka due to their AFCON commitments, and Gian Piero Gasperini was widely expected to retain the same team as their last outing. However, the Roma boss will be forced to make another change, with Lorenzo Pellegrini set to be sidelined with a hamstring injury, as he joins Leon Bailey on the sidelines.
Pellegrini’s absence could force Gasperini to slightly alter his shape, with Tommaso Baldanzi coming in to replace the injured star and play a slightly advanced role in the team. So, Bryan Cristante and Manu Kone will be tasked to marshal the midfield on their own, with Devyne Rensch and Wesley set to take up the wing-back roles. At the back, Gasperini will prefer Zeki Celik, Gianluca Mancini, and Mario Hermoso in a back three.
Baldanzi will keep Matias Soule company in the final third, and Gasperini might have to decide on the starting striker. With Artem Dovbyk back from an injury issue, the manager will decide on who starts, as Paulo Dybala and Evan Ferguson have failed to hit the ground running, although it could be the Argentine who might start the game.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Celik, Mancini, Hermoso; Rensch, Kone, Cristante, Wesley; Soule, Baldanzi; Dybala
Genoa
Daniele De Rossi has to make an enforced change as his goalkeeper Nicola Leali, will miss out following his sending off against Atalanta in the last game. The issue is all the more complicated because second-choice keeper Benjamin Siegrist has a broken finger and is certainly not in a position to start, meaning the third-choice stopper, Daniele Sommariva, will be called upon to deputise.
That alone is not De Rossi’s problem, as he has a rather long list of injured stars, including Morten Frendrup, Albert Gronbaek, Benjamin Siegrist, and Leo Ostigard, while Jean Onana is out at the AFCON.
De Rossi is likely to stick together a 4-4-2 shape for this clash, with Sebastian Otoa and Johan Vasquez in central defence, while Brooke Norton-Chuffy and Alessandro Marcandalli will essay the full-back roles. Patrizio Masini and Morten Thorsby will assume the central midfield roles, while Vitinha will pair up with Lorenzo Colombo in the front two.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Sommariva; Norton-Cuffy, Otoa, Vasquez, Marcandalli; Malinovskyi, Masini, Thorsby, Martin; Vitinha, Colombo
Key Stats
- AS Roma have won 16 of their last 18 home matches against Genoa in all competitions.
- AS Roma have lost four of their last five games across all competitions.
- Genoa last defeated AS Roma in 1990.
- Genoa have lost three of their last four games.
Player to Watch
Paulo Dybala
The Argentine international has not found his best form for AS Roma this season, and it could be a defining campaign, which could even spell his end here. More importantly, the Giallorossi need someone clinical and lethal up front, as they are struggling to get the rhythm out of their strikers.
The defence is doing its job well, but Gian Piero Gasperini needs his strikers to perform at the highest level and start scoring goals. For Dybala, it feels like a missed opportunity when Artem Dovbyk was missing, and now with the Ukrainian back fit, it’s only a matter of time before he is preferred from the start again, although the upcoming game against Genoa could be a good chance for Dybala to prove his worth.
Prediction
AS Roma 2-0 Genoa
The fact that Genoa have somewhat struggled against the bigger sides this term, that theme might continue into this clash. Daniele De Rossi is also missing a host of his key stars, and such a daunting trip away from home might overwhelm him to an extent.
Meanwhile, AS Roma are angling to arrest a recent slump in form and get back to winning ways, as well as cement their place as a top-four contender at the very least. While they are expected to win over Genoa, Gian Piero Gasperini will want a stellar performance from his players to assert the idea of a title challenge back within the group.
