Roma v Genoa is a match in the round of 16 of the Coppa Italia to be played on Thursday at 21:00: odds, predictions, TV and streaming
Last Sunday Roma were on the verge of resigning themselves to yet another defeat in a direct match of the season, but the San Siro is obviously a good place for the Giallorossi this year – they had already achieved a feat in October by beating Inter – who in the final minutes reeled in AC Milan, who were two goals ahead until the 87th minute.
First it was Ibanez who shortened the gap, then – again from a spot kick – English striker Abraham, who had not been on the scorers’ sheet since the Sassuolo game, one of the last before the break for the Qatari World Cup, levelled the scores. A point that unquestionably has the taste of victory for José Mourinho’s team, unbeaten in four official matches and again three points behind fourth-placed Inter, co-habiting with Lazio and Atalanta. The Coppa Italia round of 16 clash with Genoa comes just a few days before another tricky game against Vincenzo Italiano’s Fiorentina, but the Portuguese coach has no intention of taking a game which could provide a fascinating clash with former Spalletti’s Napoli in the quarter-finals
Genoa have changed pace with Gilardino
Roma have not won this competition since 2008, when the current Napoli coach was on the bench, and have made it through to the round of 16 four times in the last seven editions. The Ligurians, on the other hand, are one of only two teams from Serie B – the cadetto championship has been at a standstill since 26 December – to have reached the round of 16, apart from Parma, who were defeated on Tuesday by Inter after extra time.
Gilardino
With Alberto Gilardino on the bench it’s a different tune (the instrument is the violin, of course) and the three wins in four games are the confirmation that the change of technical guide decided in December – away with the German Alexander Blessin, in with the former AC Milan and Fiorentina striker – was the right way to go for a team that was lost and couldn’t win anymore. Genoa is now third in the standings, ready to give battle to Frosinone and Reggina for one of the first two places. The Rossoblù coach, fresh from the important success at home against Bari, should line up most of the starters at the Olimpico, with Aramu and Gudmundsson behind striker Puscas, preferred to Coda. Mourinho, on the other hand, will give another chance to Belotti, supported by Pellegrini and Zaniolo.
The prediction
They face two teams who have not done particularly well in attack in their respective leagues but make up for it with good defensive solidity. That’s why we don’t think Roma and Genoa will be a pyrotechnic match: even if with a bit of effort, the Giallorossi will probably manage to get through the round.
Roma v Genoa matchday squad
- ROMA (3-4-2-1): Rui Patricio; Mancini, Ibanez, Kumbulla; Celik, Cristante, Matic, Zalewski; Zaniolo, Pellegrini; Belotti.
- GENOA (4-3-2-1): Semper; Sabelli, Ilsanker, Maturro, Criscito; Jagiello, Strootman, Frendrup; Aramu, Gudmundsson; Puscas.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-0
