The kinks in Roma’s armor are starting to show. After a string of five straight draws, the giallorossi managed a couple more wins, alongside a draw with Milan, and then last week finally ended their unbeaten run with a 3-0 loss to Juventus. Roma made it past Sampdoria to progress in the Coppa Italia, but the performance was rather uninspiring. Will they manage to stay the course this season?
Roma vs. Genoa: Preview and TV schedule
Genoa might be a top-half side, but without Alberto Gilardino, it’s difficult to think this match will result in anything but a victory for Roma.
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If so, someone’s going to have to keep Roma players informed about their yellow card count, ensuring there’s not another match in which three starters are suspended. This week they’re without Leandro Castán, Daniele De Rossi, and Adem Ljajić. Radja Nainggolan, just brought in from Cagliari, will need to step in to try and compensate in midfield, but it’s Alessandro Florenzi that will feel the most pressure - his play midweek was far from perfect.
Fortunately for the giallorossi, they’ll be facing a Genoa side that wants nothing more from this trip to Rome than a single solitary point. With Alberto Gilardino suspended, it seems Gian Piero Gasperini will use Emanuele Calaiò in the middle of an attacking three. But this “attack” also features former left-back Luca Antonelli, whose spent much of the season at left wing. Hmmm.
Without Gila, Genoa are missing 42% of their goals -- they are the side most reliant on a single player, and he won’t be there to rescue them. The rossoblu might have one of the best defenses in Serie A, but they’re prone to giving up plenty of shots. And Roma are prone to taking plenty of shots. How this can end well for the visitors is a complete mystery.
Roma Injuries and Suspensions
Federico Balzaretti (injured); Leandro Castán, Daniele De Rossi, Adem Ljajić (suspended)
Genoa Injuries and Suspensions
Alessandro Gamberini, Juraj Kucka, Mario Santana (injured); Alberto Gilardino (suspended)
Projected Lineups
AS Roma (4-3-3): Morgan De Sanctis; Maicon, Mehdi Benatia, Nicolás Burdisso, Dodô; Miralem Pjanić, Radja Nainggolan, Kevin Strootman; Alessandro Florenzi, Francesco Totti, Gervinho
Genoa (3-4-3): Mattia Perin; Luca Antonini, Daniele Portanova, Thomas Manfredini; Šime Vrsaljko, Davide Biondini, Matuzalém, Giovanni Marchese; Moussa Konaté, Emanuele Calaiò, Luca Antonelli
Match Date/Time
Sunday, January 12 at 3 p.m. local, 9 a.m. ET
Venue
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Watch
TV:Premium Calcio 3, Sky Calcio 2, Sky Sport 1 HD Italia (Italy); beIN Sports en Español (USA)
Online: beIN Sports Play (USA and Canada)
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