Roma are revamped and under pressure in Bologna for the early kick-off, as Daniel Pablo Osvaldo, Francesco Totti and Miralem Pjanic lead the way.
Roma are revamped and under pressure in Bologna for the early kick-off, as Daniel Pablo Osvaldo, Francesco Totti and Miralem Pjanic lead the way.
The Stadio Dall’Ara hosts the lunchtime match at 11.30am GMT. Click here for a preview.
The Giallorossi and Zdenek Zeman are feeling tense after some middling results, although they were slightly boosted by beating Inter 2-1 in the Coppa Italia semi-final first leg on Wednesday.
There are even reports that the Coach could be sacked if he loses today after a Press conference in which he complained there were “no rules” at the club.
Daniele De Rossi and Mattia Destro are dealing with injuries, the striker undergoing meniscus surgery that will keep him sidelined for two months.
Erik Lamela is suspended for this match, so Pjanic returns to complete the trident with Totti and Osvaldo.
Full-back Vasilis Torosidis is on the bench just days after completing his transfer from Olympiacos, while Nicolas Burdisso is chosen ahead of Marquinhos.
Bologna won 3-2 at the Stadio Olimpico earlier this season after going 2-0 down, so cannot be underestimated today.
Michele Pazienza and Niccolo Cherubin both sit out bans, joining the injured Robert Acquafresca and Cesare Natali.
Alessandro Diamanti, Saphir Taider and Manolo Gabbiadini form the support network for Alberto Gilardino.
Bologna:Agliardi; Motta, Antonsson, Sorensen, Morleo; Khrin, Perez; Diamanti, Taider, Gabbiadini; Gilardino
Bologna bench:Curci, Stojanovic, Garics, Carvalho, Gimenez, Kone, Pulzetti, Guarente, Riverola, Pasquato, Paponi
Roma: Goicoechea; Piris, Burdisso, Castan, Balzaretti; Bradley, Tachtsidis, Florenzi; Pjanic, Osvaldo, Totti
Roma bench: Lobont, Stekelenburg, Torosidis, Marquinhos, Romagnoli, Lucca, Dodò, Taddei, Marquinho