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Matchday 27: Spezia-Roma Preview

Roma travel to Spezia
John Solano
I

Roma face Spezia tomorrow evening in Liguria in search of their first league victory in over a month.

The Giallorossi are winless since their 4-2 win over Empoli on January 23rd and drew their in their last three fixtures.

Meanwhile, Tiago Motta’s side is also trying to get back on track following huge wins in December and January against Napoli, Genoa, Milan, and Sampdoria. However, his team is also in search of their first win in February and enter the affair on a two-match losing streak.

“We’re really going to have to be attentive against Roma,” Motta commented during his pre-match press conference.

“Even though Roma have struggled at times against attacking sides, they know how to suffer and stick together as a team. They’re good at defending then hitting you on the break.”

“We have to play balanced and try to minimise the damage the damage that Mourinho’s side tend to inflict on the counter-attack.”

He added, “We have to re-find the continuity we displayed before the end of the year and into last month.”

As for Roma, they’ll have to deal with several key absences yet again. Starting midfielder Sergio Oliveira is dealing with muscle fatigue and wasn’t called-up by Jose Mourinho. In addition, young attacker Felix Afena-Gyan will also miss out due to injury.

The two sides kick-off on Sunday evening at 18.05 CET at the Stadio Alberto Picco.

Probable Formations

Spezia (4-2-3-1): Provedel; Amian, Erlic, Nikolaou, Reca; Sala, Kiwior; Verde, Maggiore, Gyasi; Nzola
Bench:
Zoet, Zovko, Bertola, Hristov, Ferrer, S.Bastoni, Agudelo, Bourabia, Kovalenko, Nguiamba, Colley, Antiste

Roma (3-4-2-1):
Rui Patricio; Mancini, Smalling, Kumbulla; Karsdorp, Cristante, Veretout, Viña; Mkhitaryan, Pellegrini; Abraham
Bench:
Fuzato, Mastrantonio, Maitland-Niles, Ibañez, Keramitsis, Bove, Zalewski, Volpato, Zaniolo, El Shaarawy, Shomurodov

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