Roma is Coming off back-to-back losses against sassuolo and bologna Roma looks to get back on track. Atalanta now has a three-point distance between themselves and Roma with the chance to increase it. Roma’s Champions League ambitions are really important to this Roma team after feeling the disappointment of missing out last year. Champions League football seems to be slipping away by the day. Roma is destined to get back in form so they can try to make up ground in the Champions League. However, they go on the road to face the toughest test of all the League’s most potent attack and explosive offense as Roma take the trip to Bergamo to take on Atalanta. Atalanta has scored 61 goals already this season and even though they can have a leaky defense they have the attack to make up for it. They currently sit in fourth place ahead of Roma with an opportunity to extend their lead to six points. Earlier in the season, the teams met at the Stadio Olimpico as Atlanta ended up Victorious in Rome earning a 2-0 win that handed Roma the first defeat of the season. Atalanta has found their way past Roma occasionally over the last couple of seasons they’re looking for what would be a very impressive sweep of one of the biggest clubs in Italy. Atalanta is at home in Bergamo and they just have gotten Duvan Zapata back from injury Atalanta goes into this game as the favorites. Given the form that Roma’s in Will we see Atalanta complete the season sweep of Roma or do we have an upset on our hands as Roma tries to avoid yet another League defeat.
A.S Roma 5th 11-6-6 39Pts
There’s a lot of talk in the media this week about the potential of Paulo Fonseca changing his 4-2-3-1 formation after struggles over the last couple of weeks and going back to a formation he has used just a couple times this season operating out of the 4-1-4-1 formation. Roma used this formation previously when they had injury concerns earlier in the season. In goal, we should expect to see Roma’s number one Pau Lopez. We could see a variety of changes in the backline at left-back we should see Alex Kolarov, beside him as the center-back partnership we should expect to see Chris Smalling and Roger Ibanez then at right-back we should expect Leo spinazzola. In front of the backline as the lone defensive midfielder, we should see Gianluca Mancini take on that role. He has played some defensive Midfield earlier this season and during that time frame, Rome got back on the right track. In the attacking Midfield in the central position should be Lorenzo Pellegrini alongside Jordan veretout. On the left-wing, I would give another start to Diego Perotti. Justin kluivert is the starter at this position but with the Europa League knockout stage just a few days after the game on Saturday I’d want to keep Justin kluivert fresh as I feel he will be important in the match vs GENT. On the other side, I’d like to see Carles Perez be given his first Roma start since his move from Barcelona. Then upfront, as the main Striker will be edin Dzeko. Roma will have some options on the bench if they need it.
Atalanta 4th 12-6-5 42Pts
Atalanta typically lines up out of the very attacking-minded 3-4-1-2 formation. I suspect we will see that again on Saturday night. In goal as always should be Golini. We should see a back three consisting of Toloi, Hans hateboer and Berat Djimsiti. In the attacking Midfield, we should see Remo freuler, Timothy castagne Ruslan Malinovskyi and Pasalic. Then underneath the strikers will be captain. Papu Gomez. Then upfront as the two main Strikers arguably the most dangerous Duo in all of Italian football when they are healthy. Josip ilicic and duvan Zapata. The two of them could cause Mayhem on the Roma backline Duvan Zapata is just starting to get back into form this is a scary precedent
Bottom line
Roma will go into this game with desperation having lost back-to-back games over the last two weeks. Roma wants to get back in the Champions League race in a real way to do that they need to pick up all three points here in Bergamo. This is a mountain to climb this isn’t the best team in the league Atalanta is not Juventus or Inter Milan for that but they are the most dangerous attack in the entire league. The defense may not be at the highest level but they have a solid in Midfield and antagonizing upfront. It is going to be really difficult to try to slow them down and as optimistic as I’d like to be we could see the third loss in a row from Roma. The main problem with Atalanta is they can overcome bad defense because of how dangerous they are going forward. Atalanta defense is decent it’s not great though and the thing about this team they have so much quality going forward it may not even matter. On the other side, Roma’s defense over the last couple of games has been horrible considering how well they have performed this season. Changing the formation may be the best way for them to try to get back on the right track. They will have quality as they always do with edin Dzeko Lorenzo Pellegrini coming back and many of the explosive youngsters that Roma can put in attacking positions. However even with all that I don’t see a way in which Roma as the ability and toughness to stop an attack that can throw Josip ilicic, duvan Zapata, Luis Muriel, and Papu Gomez at you. That’s just the beginning of it Atalanta have players all over the place that can make a big difference on a team. Getting a point might be wishful thinking for Roma. Roma may not have a lot of confidence right now and they have to find a way to get some. I believe Roma will start to look like a more complete team this weekend and make improvements but honestly, I don’t think it’s going to be enough. Atalanta has a huge advantage as they are confident right now and have the ability to make Roma pay for it. This is Italian football and this will be a fantastic match between two heavyweights even though Roma have opportunities to be a game I’m just not sure it’s going to be enough.
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
Atalanta’s Projected starting XI 3-4-1-2
GK: Golini
DEF: Toloi,Hateboer,Djimsiti
ATT MID: Freular,Pasalic, Malinovskyi, Castagne
Center Forward: Papu Gomez
Strikers: Duvan Zapata & Josip Ilicic
Manager: Gianpaolo Gasparini
Players to Watch
Duvan Zapata & Edin Dzeko
Match Details
Date: Saturday, February 15th, 2020
Venue: Atleti Azzurri d’Italia, Bergamo
Kickoff: 1:45AM (USA) 7:45PM (ENG), 8:45PM (ITA)
TV Broadcast: Sky Italia, ESPN+
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