Roma seek to increase their Serie A record with a 13th consecutive away victory, but visit Genoa revitalised under new management.
It kicks off at 14.00 GMT, follow the build-up and action from all today’s Serie A games on the LIVEBLOG.
Roma seek to increase their Serie A record with a 13th consecutive away victory, but visit Genoa revitalised under new management.
It kicks off at 14.00 GMT, follow the build-up and action from all today’s Serie A games on the LIVEBLOG.
The Giallorossi are on sparkling form lately with five straight wins, including the Derby della Capitale, but saw that enthusiasm slightly dampened by a midweek 2-0 Champions League loss to Atletico Madrid.
They’re still in the running to qualify for the next round of the tournament and for now must focus their attention back to domestic matters.
Having won nine of the last 10 Serie A matches, Eusebio Di Francesco’s men are emerging as potential Scudetto contenders.
Their away record is particularly impressive, winning their last 12 on the road, whereas today’s opponents Genoa are still looking for their first home success of the season after one point from six attempts.
The Grifone are revitalised by the arrival of new Coach Ballardini, who won his debut 1-0 away to Crotone last week after replacing Ivan Juric at the helm.
Andriy Galabinov is out injured and Gianluca Lapadula not 100 per cent fit, so Goran Pandev starts as a False 9 supported by Adel Taarabt and Diego Laxalt.
Former Roma players Andrea Bertolacci and Aleandro Rosi are also in the starting XI.
Di Francesco must do without Rick Karsdorp, but Patrik Schick and Emerson Palmieri are back on the bench after lengthy injury lay-offs.
It’s a return to Marassi for ex-Genoa men Stephan El Shaarawy and Diego Perotti, while Edin Dzeko tries to end his run of six games without a goal.
Roma have won their last six meetings with Genoa, home and away. Their last stalemate was 1-1 at the Olimpico in January 1994, followed by 17 victories and seven Grifone success stories in all competition.
Genoa: Perin; Izzo, Spolli, Zukanovic, Rosi; Bertolacci, Miguel Veloso, Rigoni; Taarabt, Laxalt, Pandev
Roma: Alisson; Florenzi, Fazio, Juan Jesus, Kolarov; Nainggolan, De Rossi, Strootman; El Shaarawy, Dzeko, Perotti
Ref: Giacomelli