RomaPress – Roma returned to the training pitch today following their 2-0 defeat to Juventus this past weekend. The Giallorossi commenced their preparations for Sunday’s match in the Italian capital against Udinese, four days before the first leg of their Europa League knockout tie against Braga.
Roma manager Paulo Fonseca welcomed attacker Pedro back to the group after the Spaniard was absent for the past two weeks due to a muscle injury while Stephan El Shaarawy, once again, trained alongside his teammates and looks set to be called-up for this weekend’s tie. Captain Lorenzo Pellegrini also participated in today’s session after serving his suspension and missing out on the clash against the Bianconeri due to yellow card accumulation.
In defence, Chris Smalling continued his rehabilitation from the muscle injury in his left thigh that he suffered against Hellas Verona. The Englishman is expected to miss a total of one month but the club is hoping that he can recover before the end of February so that he’s available for the second leg against Braga.
Meanwhile, Nicolo Zaniolo visited Villa Stuart hospital this afternoon to undergo a fitness test following his recovery from COVID-19, which he tested positive for on 18 January.
The attacker is set to return to Roma’s training centre, Trigoria, to resume his path to recovery after he tore his left ACL in early September.
Zaniolo was accompanied by his father, Igor, as he prepares to enter the final phase of rehabilitation before returning to the fold with Roma, who hope the starlet can return by April.
