Roma can equal their longest unbeaten run of 2020 so far if they avoid defeat at relegated SPAL on Wednesday evening.
The Giallorossi have been growing in form recently, thanks mainly to the new 3-4-2-1 formation they are using. With three wins and a draw from their last four games, they have the chance to make it five games undefeated when they visit SPAL.
The trip to Ferrara will see Roma take on a side with little to play for. Despite doing well to avoid relegation in their last two seasons, SPAL have met that fate this time around.
Coached by former Roma midfielder Luigi Di Biagio, SPAL also have some players with past connections to La Magica. Defender Ervin Zukanovic and winger Marco D’Alessandro both had brief spells with Roma – the latter after graduating the club’s academy.
This should be a game where Roma can mainly focus on themselves, though. After Milan’s win over Sassuolo, pressure is on in the race for fifth. A win tonight would see Roma return to that position.
If Roma get three points, it would be the first time they have won consecutive away league matches since September. While that statistic is very surprising, the win will be all that is on Roma’s minds.
SPAL actually did the double over Roma last season, but the Giallorossi undoubtedly go into this game as favourites. Having won the reverse fixture 3-1, and with their opponents winless since the re-start, Roma should have confidence of getting a result.
Nicolo Zaniolo is back in the squad, despite claims he initially wouldn’t be, replacing the injured Cengiz Under. The only other change from the squad that faced Inter sees Roger Ibanez drop out, after picking up an injury in that last game.
That could present an opportunity for Chris Smalling to make his first start since Roma’s last defeat, against Napoli two-and-a-half weeks ago. The Englishman will be hoping for a winning return to the starting lineup.
The game kicks off at 8:45pm UK time. Fans can watch it on Premier Sports 2 or the LiveScore App.
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— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) July 21, 2020
Fonseca: “Earlier I said Zaniolo would not be available. However, Cengiz picked up a knock today - so I asked Nicolò if he felt ready. He underwent tests that gave us more encouraging answers than yesterday, so I’ve decided to call him up.”
#ASRoma #SPALRoma pic.twitter.com/B9U9Gkt4HY
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