Genoa will take their nine match unbeaten streak into Sunday’s match against Roma as the two sides meet at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris in Genoa. The home sides have dominated the last six fixtures between the two teams, winning five of those matches, including Genoa’s 1-0 win at the Marassi last May.
Roma limp into the fixture after last week’s come from behind draw against Sassuolo and their mid-week elimination from the Champions League. Genoa are currently top of the Serie A form table and have been one of the surprise teams in the league this term. Gian Piero Gasperini’s men will attempt to solidify their bid for third place as they are currently only one point above fourth placed Sampdoria.
Roma will attempt to resurrect their Scudetto hopes, but will have to do so without their supporters. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, tickets were not sold for the away end at the Marassi ahead of Sunday’s game nor were tickets sold to those residents living in the Lazio region of Italy.
Despite this, Roma have plenty to offer and with the excellent form of Gervinho this season, could cause plenty of problems for either Genoa flank. The Grifone’s preferred 3-4-3 formation should be put to the test early and often as Rudi Garcia’s attackers will try to pin back Genoa’s wing-backs. However, Genoa have shown they are more than capable of turning away opposing attacks with wins already this season against Juventus, Lazio and most recently AC Milan.
Genoa have their own in form forward in Diego Perotti who picked up Man of the Match honours against Milan. Perotti has shown some of the form he exuded when he first joined La Liga’s Sevilla. Though the Argentine hasn’t contributed the goals or assists of Gervinho, it has been Perotti’s presences that has affected opposing defenders.
The winger’s pace and movement on the ball has caused problems and against Daniele Bonera last week, Perotti continually left the defender flat-footed. Against Maicon or Jose Holebas, Perotti won’t be afford the same space and time on the ball, however.
Genoa will have Nicolas Burdisso back from suspension which could see centre-back starlet Armando Izzo or Facundo Roncaglia move to panchina. However, both men showed excellent poise against the Rossoneri last weekend and deserve a start against Roma.
On Roma’s side, the Giallorossi will be without Daniele De Rossi following his red card last weekend versus Sassuolo. The midfielder didn’t feature against Manchester City in mid-week and Radja Nainggolan has emerged as Garcia’s performed midfield general this season.
Expected starting XIs
Genoa: Perin; Burdisso; Roncaglia; De Maio; Edenilson; Greco; Bertolacci; Antonelli; Kucka; Pinilla; Perotti
Roma: De Sanctis; Maicon; Manolas; Yanga Mbiwa; Holebas; Pjanic; Nainggola; Florenzi; Iturbe; Totti; Gervinho
