With a new coach at the helm, we’re back to square one when it comes to predicting the starting lineup. Ivan Juric has only been in charge of Roma’s training sessions for a few days and it’s unclear who will emerge as his first choice. One thing is certain, however, with a team coached by Juric: it will be built around a back three and pressing.
Juric’s teams Hellas Verona and Torino were solid defensively and developed some top-notch center backs. Roma has a few of those after their performances on the late summer free agent market. In his pre-match press conference, he was asked about Roma’s defense.
“The defense is well structured. Some are also used to playing in a three-man formation. For Hermoso, it is the position on the left in a three-man formation that he is used to – he has played there a lot. He and (Mats) Hummels have played very well in training, they are not in top form yet, but they will get their chances in these three games.”
“As I said, in defence we sometimes talk a lot about physicality, but let’s take Rodriguez, who played for three years without physicality at a very high level thanks to his intelligence. Physicality is very important to win tackles, but it is equally important to be intelligent, to find positions, to know how to intervene at the right moment, to know how to move. And sometimes players, even if they are physically less strong, can interpret the role very well.”
In this game, we expect Gianluca Mancini and Evan Ndicka to keep their starting positions and either Mats Hummels or Mario Hermoso to join them. We are leaning towards Hummels making his Roma debut, however, it looks like a neck and neck race.
Most now assume that Juric will play in a 3-4-2-1. That would mean two central midfielders flanked by two full-backs. The man who seems certain to start is Manu Koné, who seems to fit Juric’s style of football perfectly with his pressing and ball-winning skills. Who he joins is pretty much everyone’s favourite, but Sky Sport are tipping Niccoló Pisilli, so we’re going for the youngster. But don’t be surprised if Cristante or Paredes join Koné.
There was some speculation that Saud Abdulhamid would make his first appearance for Roma, but for now it looks like Juric will rely on the experience of Zeki Çelik rather than the Saudi international, with Angeliño playing opposite him.
Juric also commented on his attack and how Paulo Dybala fits into his system.
“I’ve also watched the last four games. Paulo is intelligent and does a great job defensively too – he’s always well positioned. We all know his qualities. I’d like him to play as a right winger so he can get in with his left foot.”
“In the last few days I have seen that he is very good at both phases. It is clear that he does not have to do 100-metre sprints. However, he does the defensive work very carefully. I do not see any problems on that side of the game. And in attack, when he is fit, you can see a player of great quality even today.”
Dybala will likely start alongside Lorenzo Pellegrini or Matías Soulé in this match. Juric was also asked if the two Argentines would play together.
“They can play together. I think Dybala didn’t play because of what was going on with him. Absolutely yes, they can both play together, no problem.”
We’re tipping the Roma captain, but Soulé seems to have just as good a chance of being in the starting line-up as support for Artem Dovbyk.
ROMA (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Hummels, Ndicka; Celik, Koné, Pisilli, Angelino; Dybala, Pellegrini; Dovbyk.
