AS Roma host reigning champions Juventus on Sunday evening as the Old Lady are aiming to amend for their shock opening day defeat to Udinese last time out.

Rudi Garcia’s side will be buoyed by the arrival of promising full-back Lucas Digne from PSG earlier this week, with the Frenchman, who represented his nation at the 2014 World Cup, joining on a season-long loan deal.

Both side’s clashed at a similar juncture last campaign, with the Old Lady running out 3-2 victors in a tie marred by refereeing controversy.

Form

Roma welcome their visitors having begun the season in similar vain to last. Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Verona was the Giallorossi’s eleventh draw in 23 matches since the start of 2015; having chalked up only eight victories since January 6th.

The hosts were discernibly more potent in attack than they had appeared during stages of last season, but Garcia was left to rue his decision to stall the arrival of PSG left-back Lucas Digne after Vasilis Torosidis’ error gifted Bosko Jankovic an opening in which he duly dispatched.

Juventus, similarly, began their title defence with a shock home defeat to Udinese, with Cyril Thereau netting the decisive strike which consigned the Old Lady to an unprecedented opening day defeat.

Allegri’s side created several chances on the evening — namely via Paul Pogba, Mario Mandzukic and Simone Padoin — but couldn’t make a breakthrough. Claudio Marchisio’s soothing presence at the base of the midfield diamond was sorely missed.

Previous meetings

Chaos ensued when these two sides first encountered last term. Juventus ran out 3-2 victors in the end, but they owed much to the negligence of the officials. That was also the day when Rudi Garcia, quite candidly, expressed his conviction that his side would “win the Scudetto”. They, of course, failed to do so and even when the Giallorossi hosted the Old Lady when their fourth successive title was inevitable, Tevez contrived to spoil the party with a sumptuous free-kick from the edge of the area.

Roma last tasted victory over the Bianconeri in February 2013, but the sides’ encounter’s since have been historically tighter with the gulf between the two ostensibly diminishing.

Team news

Roma will welcome back Maicon after the Brazilian’s return to first-team training.

New arrival, Lucas Digne, who made the switch from PSG earlier this week, is expected to feature in the squad, though he is unlikely to make his debut on Sunday evening.

Alessandro Florenzi is likely to start after he salvaged Rudi Garcia’s side a point at Verona last weekend, but may begin alongside Edin Džeko and Mohamed Salah in attack.

Juventus, meanwhile, will still be without midfield fulcrum Claudio Marchisio, but will be buoyed by the return of Alvaro Morata.

Many ascribed Juve’s shock opening day loss against Udinese to their dearth of experience and, while the Spaniard is only entering his second season in Turin, his goalscoring nous was sorely missed.

Alex Sandro completed his move from FC Porto last weekend, but Max Allegri may opt for Patrice Evra’s experience at left-back.

Probable line-ups

Roma (4-3-3): Szczesny; Maicon, Castan, Manolas, Torosidis; De Rossi, Nainggolan, Pjanic; Florenzi, Džeko, Salah.

Juventus (4-3-1-2): Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra; Padoin, Sturaro, Pogba; Pereyra; Morata, Mandzukic.

Ones to Watch

Roma – Edin Džeko

The Bosnian flourished in flashes last time out and the ex-Manchester City talisman will square up against the most formidable rearguard in the country on Sunday evening. Džeko dovetailed effectively with Salah on occasion and, promisingly, showed a genuine willingness to get beyond the Verona backline last weekend. Having developed a knack in England for producing the goods when it mattered most, there could be no better opportunity to lay down a marker than by striking blood against the champions.

Juventus – Paul Pogba

Granted the coveted No.10 jersey after the departure of Carlos Tevez, the Frenchman now faces the unenviable task of propelling Juve towards their fifth consecutive Scudetti. Pogba disappointed last week against Udinese — squandering several chances after the interval — but will be looking to bounce back and reaffirm Juventus’ title credentials. With Marchisio and Sami Khedira still sidelined, the burden now falls on the shoulders of the 22 year-old.