On Saturday AS Roma go up against one of Serie A's most in-form teams, in Siniša Mihajlović's Sampdoria. the blucerchiati sit alongside league leaders Juventus as the only two teams yet to win a league game this season, and Samp head into this match sitting just three points in arrears of Roma. There could well be an upset in Genoa in this match.
Sampdoria vs. AS Roma: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
In-form Sampdoria will prove to be stubborn opponents for Roma on Saturday.
Enrico Locci
Then again, save for their thrashing at the hands of Bayern Munich in the Champions League in midweek, Roma have looked pretty damn good too. The only time they’ve dropped points in Serie A this season was when they came up against Juventus, when they lost 3-2. Roma are still favourites heading into this match, but it shouldn’t be a comfortable game for the giallorossi.
Key player - Miralem Pjanić (AS Roma)
The creative heart of this Roma team is undoubtedly midfield playmaker Miralem Pjanić, who has been outstanding for the giallorossi so far. Playinga alongside the energetic Radja Nainggolan and the midfield anchorman Daniele De Rossi, the Bosnian is given the freedom to burst forward and play cutting through-balls for his teammates. Unless Sampdoria can keep him quiet, they're going to struggle.
Key matchup - Roma's wingers vs. Sampdoria's full-backs
The players Pjanić's through-balls are usually targeted at are Roma's wingers, who are so important in Rudi García's 4-3-3. Very capable in one-on-one situations and drifting inside into goalscoring positions, they are extremely difficult to shut out of the game. In this match, the responsibility of trying to do so will fall on Sampdoria's big, physical full-backs Lorenzo De Silvestri and Vasco Regini.
Sampdoria injuries and suspensions
Out: Emiliano Viviano, Alessandro De Vitis, Nenad Krstičić (injured); Fabrizio Cacciatore (suspended). In doubt: None.
AS Roma injuries and suspensions
Out: Federico Balzaretti, Kevin Strootman, Maicon (injured); Kostas Manolas (suspended). In doubt: Leandro Castán, Marco Borriello, Seydou Keita.
Sampdoria will be without injured first-choice goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano and the suspended defender Fabrizio Cacciatore among others, though their list of absentees isn’t anywhere near as long as Roma’s. They’re without the long-term injured Federico Balzaretti and Kevin Strootman, alongside Maicon and the suspended centre-back Kostas Manolas. Leandro Castán and Seydou Keita are facing late fitness tests.
Match Date/Time: Saturday, 8:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genoa, Italy
TV: beIN Sports (U.S. and Canada - English), RAI International (U.S. and Canada - Italian), BT Sport 1 (U.K.), Premium Calcio HD, Premium Calcio (Italy)
Online: beIN SPORTS CONNECT (U.S. and Canada), BT Sport 1 (U.K.), SKY Go Italia, Premium Play (Italy)
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