Roma travel to Genoa on Saturday evening in Serie A, as they face Sampdoria at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.
Sinisa Mihajlovic’s side currently sit in third place and along with league leaders Juventus, are the only unbeaten team in Serie A. That record is at serious risk on Saturday night however, as the Giallorossi continue their quest for the Scudetto, having won six of their seven league matches so far.
Last season, Rudi Garcia took home the three points after goals from Gervinho and the since departed Mehdi Benatia secured an away win for the club from the Capital.
Mihajlovic will have been disappointed to have surrendered a two goal lead away to Cagliari last Sunday, after Manolo Gabbiadini and Pedro Obiang had put them into a commanding position. The game ended 2-2 with the coach describing the draw as a ‘defeat’ and will be hoping to see a reaction from his players against second placed Roma.
The tie saw keeper Emiliano Viviano pull up with a knee problem and the former Italy goalie will have a minor operation to clean his left meniscus, which will mean Argentine Sergio Romero will be handed the gloves this weekend.
Right back Fabrizio Cacciatore is also unavailable as he serves a one match suspension.
The Giallorossi have three long term absentees nearing availability. Federico Balzaretti, Leandro Castan and Kevin Strootman are close to being fully rehabilitated from their various injuries and may find themselves on the bench, should they be able to prove a degree of fitness.
Greek centre back Kostas Manolas is banned which means Davide Astori and Mapou Yanga Mbiwa will be charged with marshalling the likes of Eder, Manolo Gabbiadini and former Roma striker Stefano Okaka.
Brazilian full back Maicon is suffering with inflammation to his knee and will be rested.
Roma’s heavy 7-1 midweek Champions League defeat against Bayern Munich will mean that fringe forwards Adem Ljajic and Mattia Destro may get another opportunity in the league, having both scored in their 3-0 victory over Chievo, a week ago.
Sampdoria, should they manage to win, will find themselves on equal points with the Giallorossi and with Garcia’s men having suffered humiliation on Tuesday, Mihajlovic should have no problem in finding the right motivation to ensure his side give everything come Saturday night.
Expected Starting XIs
Sampdoria: Romero; De Silvestri, Silvestre, Romagnoli, Mesbah; Soriano, Obiang, Palombo; Eder, Okaka, Gabbiadini.
Roma: De Sanctis; Torosidis, Yanga Mbiwa, Astori, Holebas; Pjanic, De Rossi, Nainggolan; Ljajic, Destro, Gervinho.
