Genoa welcome Roma tomorrow at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris off a string of inconsistent matches, winning one of the last three. However, Genoa coach, Gasperini has his men sitting comfortable on twelfth place with a chance to keep on climbing. Roma on the other hand, after rivals Lazio’s win over Inter yesterday, I Giallorossi have mathematically earned their place in the preliminary Champions League play off.
Form
I Rossoblu currently sit in 12th place on 43 points securing another season in A regardless of their recent 2-0 away loss to Bologna last week. Genoa’s away form has been abysmal, Genoa sit joint second behind Hellas Verona in away points gained, only 10.
The last time these two met it ended in a victory for Roma winning 2-0 with goals from Alessandro Florenzi and Sadiq Umar back in December.
However, it is Genoa’s home form Roma should be worried about, I Grifone have won 10 games and three draws in 17 home matches this season, form imperative for their safety. Gasperini knows Genoa have had, “Many victories and a little too many defeats.”
Genoa manager on the other hand can say he has at his expense a full Genoa squad with obvious absentees, Cerci and goalkeeper Mattia Perin out until next season.
Roma sit third, seven points clear of rivals Inter with three games to play, I Lupi are heading for the Champions League, though, they still hunt for second place to avoid a tricky qualifying round.
Spalletti knows importance of fixture tomorrow is
Spalletti in his press-conference confirmed Pjanic "is suspended,” and captain Florenzi, “Is 90% out because the problem in his left flexor hasn’t gone,” and at his expense Iago Falque according to Spalletti, “isn’t improving either,” ruling him out as well.
Positive news for Roma fans as Spalletti confirms the return of injury plagued midfielder, Kevin Strootman and in Spalletti’s eyes, “Tomorrow Strootman will show us why he is Strootman.”
Genoa are playing with no pressure as they are eleven points clear of the drop however, Roma are playing for European football and Spalletti wants, “To cling on in these three games,” and assures Roma fans they will, “go to Genoa convinced,” of their intentions.
Roma will play knowing they have mathematically made Champions League next season, albeit the play qualifying round, however, Spalletti believes, “after these next three games, new scenarios will open to us,” as second place is till to fight for.
A victory tomorrow will put Roma ahead of second place Napoli who play hours after Roma leaving the onus on Maurizio Sarri’s men.
Possible XI Genoa:
Eugenio Lamanna, Ezequiel Munoz, Sebastien de Maio, Armando Izzo, Cristian Ansaldi, Luca Rigoni, Tomas Rincon, Blerim Dzemaili, Diego Laxalt, Leonardo Pavoletti, Suso.
Possible XI Roma:
Wojciech Szceszny, Maicon, Kostas Manolas, Antonio Rudiger, Lucas Digne, Radja Nainggolan, Kevin Strootman, Daniele De Rossi, Stephen El Shaarawy, Mohamed Salah, Diego Perotti.