Roma host champions Juventus in their first home game of the season on Sunday evening.
The two sides met as recently as last month, when Roma earned their first ever win at the Juventus Stadium in the last game of the season.
Both sides fielded weaker lineups that day to prepare for their European commitments thereafter, but Sunday’s encounter will see more stars in action.
Roma are looking for their first points of the season, after their draw at Verona last week became a 3-0 loss due to the unauthorised use of Amadou Diawara as an under-22 player.
The 23-year-old is now properly registered, so is available for selection. However, Paulo Fonseca has already confirmed his entire lineup for the game, and it does not feature the Guinean.
Spearheading Roma’s 3-4-2-1 formation against Juventus will be Edin Dzeko. The Roma captain sat out the Verona game amid speculation he could move to the team he will face tonight.
However, that move has fallen through, and Dzeko is now raring to go for Roma again. He scored his first ever goal for the club against today’s opponents.
Embed from Getty ImagesBehind him will be Pedro and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in an exciting, experienced attacking trident. Lorenzo Pellegrini will drop back into a deeper midfield role, alongside Jordan Veretout.
On the flanks, there will be starts for Davide Santon on the right and former Juve left-back Leonardo Spinazzola.
In the back three, there will be a debut for summer signing Marash Kumbulla. He will replace Bryan Cristante to play alongside Roger Ibanez and Gianluca Mancini.
And in goal, veteran Antonio Mirante keeps his place ahead of Pau Lopez.
The opponents, meanwhile, are without main left-back Alex Sandro due to injury. Former Roma goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny will be a starter, behind the back three being implemented by new coach Andrea Pirlo.
Paulo Dybala will only be on the bench, as will the player Juve signed instead of Dzeko, Alvaro Morata. The main threat, of course, will be Cristiano Ronaldo.
Having beaten Juve in their most recent meeting, Roma are looking to secure back-to-back wins over the Old Lady for the first time since 1995. Their recent home form against the champions is good, though; the Giallorossi have won three of the last five games when Juventus have visited.
The game kicks off at 7:45pm UK time and fans can watch it on Premier Sports 1.
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