Serie A preview: AS Roma – UC Lecce
Rome to be built in two days
Roma’s disastrous start to the campaign is no secret and the Gilarossi find themselves 14th in the league after eight rounds of Serie A football. Claudio Ranieri must tinker with the squad and start delivering the results. Last weekend’s boring
0–0 draw against Parma simply wasn’t good enough for a side that was expected to challenge for Scudetto honours.
As things stand, Roma are placed just a solitary point above the relegation zone and a failure to get a result might see the Romans fall in to the abyss of relegation zone. Many are already of the mind that Roma’s title chase is already over but Gilarossi
squad is more than capable of a turn around.
Amidst calls for Ranieri’s head, sporting director Daniele Prade has come out in the tactician’s defence stating there is no chance of Ranieri being shown the door. On Tuesday, Gilarossi travel to Basel for a ‘do or die’ fixture. A defeat will end any hopes
of progression so Lupi must win tonight to get that much needed confidence boost ahead of the Champions League clash.
Lecce exceeding expectations
Despite being regarded as one of the relegation candidates, Lecce are doing very well and stand 10th in the league with 11 points. Owing much to the competitive nature of Serie A, Lecce is just two points off a Champions League spot.
On a less positive note, Salentini have one of the worst defensive records in the entire league. Luigi De Canio’s side have conceded a whooping 13 goals in the league, 11 of those have come on their travels. To make matters worse, Lupi have just scored 2
goals away from home.
Lecce is coming off a positive run of games and against a struggling Roman outfit, the squad will be confident of getting some kind of a result.
Team News
AS Roma
Adriano and Taddei were already struggling with injuries this month but latest reports indicate that Gilarossi playmaker in Chief David Pizarro is unavailable for this fixture. Pizarro was accidently injured in the training by Okaka Chuka. Such turn of events
may end up being a blessing in disguise as the Chilean will take a much needed rest. Daniele De Rossi will walk back in to the team following his injury absence.
Expected Formation
Francesco Totti and co will take to the pitch in a 4-4-2 formation. Marco Borriello and Er Pupone will lead the line for the Romans while De Rossi and Matte Brighi will start in the midfield. Simone Perrotta and Mirko Vucinic will line up on the flanks.
In defence, Philipe Mexes will start ahead of Burdisso and partner with Juan.
Probable Line up
Bogdan Lobont, Riise, Mexes, Juan, Marco Cassetti, Daniele De Rossi, Matteo Brighi, Simone Perrotta, Francesco Totti, Mirko Vucinic, Marco Borriello
UC Lecce
De Canio will be out without the services of Reginiussen, Fabiano and Gustavo as the trio is out injured.
Expected Formation
Lecce will play a defensive 4-1-4-1 formation to cancel out Gilarossi midfield. David Di Michele will look to bringing his side in to play from advanced positions while Jeda will feature as the lone striker
Probable Line up
Antonio Rosati, Giuseppe Vives, Stefano Ferrario, Alberto Giuliatto, Djamel Mesbah, Guillermo Giacomazzi, David Di Michele, Ignacio Piatti, Carlos Grossmüller, Gianni Munari, Jeda
Key Players
Francesco Totti
Il Capitano has been the Roman talisman for more than a decade now. Totti’s ability on the ball and his exploits have bailed out the Gilarossi on numerous occasions in the past and Er Pupone must deliver for his side yet again.
Antonio Rosati
The veteran has put in some impressive displays over the last two months and against a Gilarossi squad looking for recovery, Rosati must be on his toes at all times.
Prediction
Despite Gilarossi playing off their best, far from it in fact, they have a world class squad that can topple down any opposition. Roman talents coupled Lecce’s poor away form will get Gilarossi the win they desperately need. A Totti inspired Roma to win
the game by a 2 – 0 score line.
Tags: