Ivan Juric has ‘great expectations’ of Roma in this evening’s trip to Verona and explains why Paulo Dybala is not in the starting XI.
It kicks off at the Stadio Bentegodi at 17.00 GMT.
It was put to the former Verona and Torino coach that he brought out his more determined and bracingly honest side in recent press conferences. Was that needed to lift Roma out of their rut?
“There are moments where I thought it was important to calm things down, others where we had to shake things up. The most recent game shook things up and I have great expectations of the team today,” Juric told Sky Sport Italia.
Juric rests Dybala in Verona
Dybala scored the only goal in Thursday’s 1-0 victory over Torino, a crucial result to keep the coach in his job and stave off a complete crisis following the 5-1 defeat at Fiorentina.
However, La Joya is only on the bench this evening in Verona, as Matias Soulé and Lorenzo Pellegrini support Artem Dovbyk.
“We have a lot of kids here who want to grow, we require patience, but I have a lot of faith in them. Soule is doing well and deserves this opportunity.”
Summer signing Enzo Le Fée had an injury in the opening weeks of the campaign, but is now becoming a regular in Juric’s Roma midfield.
“He is a very complete player who is useful both in attacking and defending phases.”
Verona are in crisis with three consecutive Serie A defeats, but the coach warns Roma cannot take anything for granted.
“They have always been dangerous and lost quite a few games without deserving too. There is quality and pace in their attack, it is going to be a very intense match and we need to fight them on the same level.”