Roma are coming off one of their worst performances of the season as they have failed to find form in the month of January having lost three matches in the league during the month. Roma didn’t start February that great either with a lost last weekend. Roma need to find a way to get back on track and they’ll have that opportunity on a Friday night at home at the Stadio Olimpico against bologna. the first meeting between these two teams the match was decided at the stroke of death with Edin Dzeko scoring a goal in stoppage time being the difference as Roma picked up all three points. The first time around it was a very challenging match for both teams I expect that it will be the same. Despite the performance that we saw this last weekend Roma will go into this as a slight favorites even though they are not in the best of form on paper they are the much better team from top to bottom even though Mikhailovich has a team capable of getting the job done. Roma will look to complete a season sweep of Bologna with a victory on Friday night will we see what we expect? Or will bologna find a way to break through and pull off an upset to add it to Roma’s Misery. We will find all that and more when these two teams Clash at the Stadio Olimpico on a Friday night.
A.S Roma 5th 11-6-5 39Pts
Roma are likely to set up out of their usual 4-2-3-1 formation. Despite not playing well Paulo Fonseca doesn’t seem to want to change his formation. We potentially could see some changes in the back line. In goal though there should be no change as Pau Lopez commands the spot between the post. In Roma’s defense that would be biggest problem in their loss last week Paulo Fonseca needs to make some adjustments. At left-back we should see The return of Alex Kolarov to starting lineup. Besides him Roma will likely stay with the centre-back partnership of a Gianluca Mancini and Chris Smalling. Then at right back Roma should give Rodger Ibanez his first start in the Roma shirt. In the defensive Midfield Roma maintain the duo of Jordan veretout and Bryan cristante. Lorenzo Pellegrini would typically be starting in the central position of the attacking Midfield however because of his red card last weekend Roma will be forced to give young Central midfielder Gonzalo Villar his first start since signing from Elche. On the left wing as always should be the youngster Justin kluivert. Then I’ll opposite side on the right wing I would give Carles Perez the start. That may seem to be a risk starting to new players in this game but Roma need to find a way to get back on the right track and that this lineup may be the best bet. Then as always upfront as the main Striker will be edin dzeko who just surpassed 100 Roma goals as he has scored in 2 consecutive games Roma should be ready for the challenge ahead.
Bologna 11th 8-6-8 30Pts
Bologna are another team that typically operates out of the 4-2-3-1 formation. They are in really good form having won three of their last six games and are looking to build on that in this matchup. I don’t expect too many changes from them. In goal should be Skorupski who ironically used to be Rome has a backup goalkeeper. The back line is likely to consist of Mbaye, Bani, Danilo and Denswil. It is a relatively strong defense even though it has the ability to leak goals it has done the job for them so far this season. The defensive Midfield will be paired with Poli and Schouten. In the attacking Midfield in the central position should be Soriano. Beside him should be the dangerous Duo of riccardo orsolini and Nicola Sansone then up front as the main Striker should be Palacio. A really strong team that is capable of doing a bit more than what they have done up to this point. Riccardo orsolini is the one to worry about he has Superstar quality and is improving every single season if he has one of his days Roma could be in some trouble.
Bottom line
Bologna is in really good form right now and are playing some of their best football of the season. This is the match that will see what Roma is made of. Bologna has a very strong lineup and are capable of getting the job done even in this match. However there’s no disputing that player-for-player Roma is he much more superior team. Roma have to show what they are capable of in this match it has been a horrific month for Roma having lost several matches in the month of January and February didn’t exactly get Roma off on the best foot. Roma have Ambitions for Champions League football next season and they are in a battle with Atalanta who they have to see next weekend. Roma have to do their part in this match and get all three points. Bologna isn’t a team Roma will want to play right now and that’s why this entire match is a blessing in disguise. This game will test Roma in a lot of different ways especially what they are capable of doing coming forward with riccardo orsolini Soriano and Nicola Sansone they have three players in the attacking sense that can do damage. Roma have to be prepared to deal with what they can do defensively. Defensively last week it was horrific Roma need to figure out a way to infuse some energy and grab some momentum and confidence with confidence the team has played so well this season. The way they were playing prior to winter break they were almost untouchable winter break did seem to break their spirit. This is their opportunity to get it back. The new boys Gonzalo Villar and Carles Perez could prove to be important in this game. However edin dzeko is in great form and he is the one to watch for Roma in this match. This will be coupled with the explosiveness of Justin kluivert who can be an absolute nightmare to deal with on the wing. If edin dzeko and Justin kluivert can link up and provide service to one another and Roma’s other parts of the Midfield can contribute to the game Roma will have a great chance to win. Make no mistake this is going to be very difficult riccardo orsolini is no joke he is a superstar in the making and if he’s at his highest level it’s going to be incredibly difficult for Roma to pick up all three points. At this point Paulo Fonseca needs to take all three points I defended him last week and I don’t think there should be any real fire on his job security at this point. However if they drop this game we’re going to start to have that conversation I still believe Paulo Fonseca football has helped the team and in the long run will take this team to a title but Roma need to get this together and quickly. This is not the game where Roma can make mistakes mihalovich is a great manager and he has a Firepower Roma are the better team and on the day I believe they will prove it this will be a breaking point of the season if that doesn’t happen we could have a problem on our hands especially with Roma having to play Atalanta next week but everybody understand how important this matches are and I believe the desire will be there Roma will get all three points even though it will be a mountain of a challenge.
Roma’s Projected starting XI 4-2-3-1
GK: Pau Lopez
DEF: Alex Kolarov, Chris Smaaling, Gianluca Mancini, Roger Ibanez
DEF MID: Jordan Veretout, Bryan Cristante
ATT MID: Justin Kluivert, Gonzolo Villar, Carles Perez
Striker: Edin Dzeko
Manager: Paulo Fonseca
Bologna’s Projected starting XI 4-2-3-1
GK: Skorupski
DEF: Mbaye, Bani, Danilo,Denswil
DEF MID: Poli,Schouten
ATT MID: Sansone, Soriano, Orsolini
Striker: Palacio
Manager: Siniša Mihajlović
Players to Watch
Riccardo Orsolini & Edin Dzeko
Match Details
Everything Roma 