Edin Dzeko will be looking to score against Parma for the first time in Serie A tonight to complete an impressive record.
During his four years with the Giallorossi so far, Dzeko has scored against every team he has faced in the league – apart from Parma. Hence, if he gets on the scoresheet tonight, he will make it a full house.
It’s the last game before the international break for Roma, who have done well with limited resources over a busy last few weeks. Injuries have seen Gianluca Mancini have to step up from defence to midfield, and Paulo Fonseca confirmed at his press conference on Saturday that the former Atalanta man would continue in that role for this game, despite Amadou Diawara’s return to action in the Europa League on Thursday.
The squad is also boosted by the return of Leonardo Spinazzola, who missed the Borussia Monchengladbach clash with a minor knock. That gives added competition for Alessandro Florenzi at right-back, with the captain not having started in any of the last five games. Minimal changes are expected again, so will Florenzi be brought back in?
On the opposite flank of defence, birthday boy Aleksandar Kolarov – 34 today – is likely to make a symbolic appearance. With the left-back expected to start, he will surpass the number of games he played for rivals Lazio earlier in his career – making Roma the team he has featured for in the second-most number of games, behind Manchester City.
Happy birthday Aleksandar Kolarov! 🎂
— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) November 10, 2019
The #ASRoma full-back turns 3️⃣4️⃣ today! 🐺🙌🇷🇸
pic.twitter.com/8zuHy8VXIJ
One familiar face to keep the defence occupied will be Gervinho. The former Roma forward has flourished since returning to Serie A with Parma, and already has five goals and three assists from 12 games in all competitions this season. Having scored against his old club in their last meeting – in Daniele De Rossi’s final game last season – he will be out to do the same again.
Parma have earned draws at Inter Milan and Fiorentina recently, so it will be no easy game. However, Roma have historically performed better in meetings between the two sides, and a win will see them go into the break in third place.
Broadcast live on Premier Sports 1, the game kicks off at 5pm UK time.
Leave a Reply