Roma will get another chance to finally shake off their curse against rivals for the higher places when they take on Atalanta on Thursday evening.
One of the main themes that has underpinned what looks to be Paulo Fonseca’s final season in charge has been a failure to win points against other teams challenging for the European spots. Atalanta are one of those teams that Roma have struggled against, so there is a score to settle.
In a week that has been dominated by talk of the now-doomed European Super League, two of the bigger Italian clubs who were not part of the initial breakaway group will be going head to head.
Roma will welcome Atalanta to the capital hoping to reverse their trend against their rivals. The visitors go into the game 10 points above Fonseca’s men, who simply must win if they are to retain any hope of gatecrashing the top four.
Even with a win, that may be an uphill battle. But the only thing Roma can do is get as many points as are available to them.
Their recent record against Atalanta isn’t the most promising. Roma lost the reverse fixture 4-1, which was the latest of five games without a win against La Dea. In fact, the last time Roma beat them was in Eusebio Di Francesco’s first game in charge.
Now, Fonseca gets another turn at trying to overcome Gian Piero Gasperini’s side. It will not be easy, but Roma have been strong at home this season, so there is some hope. However, in terms of home games against Atalanta, La Magica have not won since April 2014.
The squad includes the welcome return of captain Lorenzo Pellegrini after his suspension. He was missed in Roma’s recent defeat to Torino – and even more so was former Atalanta defender Gianluca Mancini, who should return against his former club.
Embed from Getty ImagesIn fact, the entire back three could be made up of players featuring against their former employers. Bryan Cristante occupies a different territory in Rome to the one he used to in Bergamo, but has been important for the Giallorossi this year. Meanwhile, Roger Ibanez never got many chances with Atalanta but will have a big part to play for Roma.
Roma will also come up against one of their former players, although one who didn’t feature much in the capital. Rafael Toloi is now Atalanta captain and will be at the heart of their own back three.
The options Roma have to try and get past that backline are limited. Pedro has joined Stephan El Shaarawy on the treatment tables, while Leonardo Spinazzola – such an important element of Roma’s forward motions despite being a defender by definition – also remains out.
Amadou Diawara is also out with suspension after his double yellow card against Torino. Hence, Roma will have to find a way through this match with numbers thin on the ground.
It only adds to the challenge, but Fonseca insists the league campaign is not over. Hence, he will be hoping to prove a point on the night.
The game kicks off at 5:30pm UK time and will be available to watch live on Premier Sports 1.
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