Roma v Verona is a Serie A Week 23 match to be played on Sunday at 20:45: fixtures, predictions, TV and streaming
Roma returned from Salzburg with a defeat on their back and will have only one result at their disposal in the return match at the Stadio Olimpico next Thursday.
José Mourinho praised the Austrian club at the end of the game, praising in particular their ability to discover young talent, but also pointing out that his team deserved to score at least one goal in light of the numerous errors at goal. The Giallorossi continue to concede little compared to what they create and now risk ending their Europa League adventure prematurely. The Portuguese coach then reiterated a concept he had already expressed several times on the occasion of the double commitment. And that is that Roma do not have a squad that is up to the task of doing well in two competitions. Last Saturday, meanwhile, Pellegrini and his team-mates slowed down again, not going beyond a draw in the away match against Lecce in Salento (1-1). In their last five outings – including the poor performance against Cremonese in the Coppa Italia – Roma have only managed to beat Empoli, taking home their third consecutive home clean sheet.
Verona have reopened the fight for safety
The Giallorossi haven’t held a clean sheet at home for four games in a row since November 2014. Before returning their focus to Europe, Mourinho’s men will need to consolidate fourth place and defend it against possible attacks from AC Milan and Lazio
Ngonge’s exultation
Verona, one of the teams in the best form in the last period, is on stage in the capital, and has returned to believe in a salvation that last autumn seemed utopian. In the relegation zone, practically only the Scaligeri are scoring points, reinvigorated by the arrival of former Cosenza coach Marco Zaffaroni, in his absolute debut in the top division. In the space of a few weeks, the Gialloblù have almost wiped out the disadvantage with respect to the fourth-last position, and now just two lengths separate them from Spezia. Verona arrived at the Olimpico on the back of four consecutive useful results: on Monday they won the very important direct clash with Salernitana, pierced by a goal from the interesting striker Ngonge, bought in January from Dutch side Groningen.
Roma-Verona: the latest line-up news
Mourinho is anxious about the condition of Paulo Dybala, who came off badly in the Europa League match against Salzburg. The Argentine risks being unavailable against Verona and the feeling is that the final tests will be decisive. Should he forfeit, El Shaarawy will most likely take his place in the three-quarter. In the middle, Bove is expected to give Matic a rest, while Zalewski and Celik will play on the flanks.
Verona will be missing Djuric, who has just had meniscus surgery. So the attack will be formed by Ngonge, now irreplaceable, and former Benevento man Gaich, another who arrived in the January market. On the right it’s a battle between Depaoli and the returning Faraoni, who should start from the bench. In defence there will be space for Coppola, Hien and Magnani.
The prediction
Roma haven’t lost in 25 home games against Verona, who at the same time have the worst away record in the tournament. Away from home the Gialloblù are struggling to get going, which is why Mourinho’s team can be trusted. Even without Dybala, the Giallorossi remain favourites for the three points in a match in which the total number of goals could be less than three, a film already seen in the last six games played at the Olimpico.
Roma v Verona: the likely line-up
- ROMA (3-4-2-1): Rui Patricio; Mancini, Smalling, Ibanez; Celik, Cristante, Bove, Zalewski; Pellegrini, El Shaarawy; Abraham.
- VERONA (3-5-2): Montipò; Coppola, Hien, Magnani; Depaoli, Duda, Tameze, Lazovic, Doig; Ngonge, Gaich.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-0
