Daniele De Rossi is confident Tommaso Baldanzi can shine for Roma against Lecce this evening and gives an update on Paulo Dybala’s injury.
It kicks off at the Stadio Via del Mare at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT).
There is a great deal at stake for both teams, as the Giallorossi need a win to keep up with Bologna in the race for Europe, while Lecce could break free of the relegation tussle after today’s stalemates.
Lorenzo Pellegrini is suspended, with Leonardo Spinazzola, Sardar Azmoun and Rasmus Kristensen injured, while Dybala is only fit for the bench, so Baldanzi gets a rare start.
“Baldanzi is already part of the squad as far as I am concerned, he comes from a smaller club and has competition for places who are playing exceptional football, so naturally playing time is limited,” De Rossi told DAZN.
“He was a bit more timid at the start, that is normal, but he is settling in better now and I am perfectly relaxed having him start today.”
If the result is still in the balance, could Dybala be risked off the bench against Lecce, or will he be rested ahead of the clashes with Roma in Serie A and Milan in the Europa League?
“We’ll see as the game goes on and what we need, Dybala never held back and had a small muscular issue we need to look after, especially in these last few months of the season.”
It is also a family affair, because Lecce defender Antonino Gallo is married to the daughter of De Rossi’s assistant – and former Lecce star – Guillermo Giacomazzi.