Things haven’t gone exactly to plan for Roma this season. The hope and dream was that they would build on last season’s successes with a stronger and deeper team, giving a real challenge to Juventus in the title race. The good news is that they’re comfortably ahead in the table -- the bad news is that Roma have rarely impressed this season and are only in fifth place as a result.
Roma vs. Empoli 2015 live stream: Start time, TV schedule and how to watch online
Roma need a win to keep pace in the top end of the Serie A table, but Empoli aren’t going to just roll over and let them take their three points.
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The capital club will be hoping that this match sparks a turnaround, though, and given the injury storm and wildly inconsistent form Empoli have suffered through this season, it’s perfectly conceivable that Roma can go out and have themselves a very, very fun time. Empoli have built a reputation of being a tough team to count out, though, and they’re very good at punching a bigger team in the teeth when they’re underestimated and taken lightly. Il Lupe will need to be on guard in this match, or they could wind up licking their wounds instead of celebrating a much-needed victory.
Key player -- Alessandro Florenzi (Roma)
It’s simple: when Florenzi plays well, Roma win. He’s been dominant at times this season, especially when given a relatively free role in midfield. Most teams Roma have faced have struggled to come up with an answer to the versatile, high-quality skill set he brings to the table. If he’s given a head of steam to work with, Roma are going to be tough to beat.
Key Matchup -- Daniele De Rossi (Roma) vs. Massimo Maccarone (Empoli)
Maccarone may not have the pace or power that he once did, but he’s the guy Empoli have to roll with and depend on up top thanks to their current rash of injuries. He’s still a pretty crafty player who can identify and exploit weaknesses, though, and he might get a chance to do just that if De Rossi is forced to start in defense again -- as he has several times this season thanks to Roma’s own injury issues. He’s not a bad central defender, but sometimes De Rossi seems to forget that he’s not in midfield and makes plays like he’s assuming he has someone behind him, even though he’s the last line of defense. If Maccarone can catch him doing just that, it’ll only be good news for Empoli.
Roma injuries and suspensions
Out: Seydou Keita, Francesco Totti, Kevin Strootman In doubt: Kostas Manolas, Edin Dzeko, Antonio Rudiger
Empoli injuries and suspensions
Out: Riccardo Saponara, Piotr Zieliński, Daniele Croce, Levan Mchedlidze In doubt: Lorenzo Tonelli, Manuel Pucciarelli, Andrea Costa, Assane Diousse, Leandro Paredes
Roma aren’t exactly healthy at the moment -- every player on their injury list is key to them to at least some extent -- but you’d be forgiven if you mistake Empoli for an injury ward. They’ve got injuries all over the pitch, including four key players out injured or suspended, and five more at less than 100 percent. It’s not a pretty sight for them right now, and fielding a fully competitive side might be difficult.
Match Date/Time: Sat., Oct. 17, 12 p.m. ET, 6 p.m. local
Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy
TV: beIN Sports (US & Canada), Sky Calcio 1 (Italy), BT Sport 2 (U.K.), RAI International
Online: Fubo TV, beIN Sports Connect (US & Canada), Sky Go Italia (Italy)
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