Roma play one of their most important games of the season on Saturday with major implications possible for key personnel at the club.
When the fixture list was unveiled at the start of the season, few would have predicted so much significance would be placed on a game against Spezia – a club playing in Serie A for the first time.
But after losing to the same side in embarrassing fashion in the Coppa Italia in midweek – following on from an equally disturbing loss to Lazio in the Derby Della Capitale – much is at stake for the first ever league meeting between the two clubs.
It’s a make-or-break match for Paulo Fonseca, whose position as head coach is in question after the past week. There are rumours that he will be dismissed if Roma fail to win.
The coach has been in similar situations at Roma before, and has managed to pull results out of the bag when he has needed them most. He will be hoping that is the case again this time.
Embed from Getty ImagesFor all the doom and gloom, Roma remain in the top four. They simply must win games like this to stay there – especially given their record against bigger teams.
It is against smaller teams like Spezia when Roma usually thrive. The Coppa Italia encounter was an obvious exception, but in the league, the club are looking to preserve a long winning streak against promoted clubs.
They will have to do so without some of their key players, though. The first-choice front three of Edin Dzeko, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pedro are all out of the squad with injury.
There are cynics who believe there may be something more behind Dzeko’s absence. Either way, Borja Mayoral will need to put in a big performance in his place.
Carles Perez and Lorenzo Pellegrini will have to play in the attacking midfield roles. The latter will captain the side, as he did in the cup game, in which he was one of the few positives.
Roma have also left defenders Federico Fazio and Juan Jesus at home. With Gianluca Mancini suspended, the back three should consist of Chris Smalling, Roger Ibanez and Marash Kumbulla.
Even though they lost their last two games at the Olimpico, Roma are still technically unbeaten in home matches in the league this season. The only team to visit and win on Roma’s own turf so far in any competition has been Spezia themselves.
Both clubs know this will be a different game to Tuesday’s, but a big reaction is needed from Roma to avoid a similar fate.
The game kicks off at 2pm UK time and will be available to watch live on Premier Sports 1.
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