Roma eager to revive hopes of fifth-place finish.
Roma vs
Genoa
After a disappointing defeat to Atalanta, AS Roma look to reignite their Champions League dreams with a victory against Genoa at the Stadio Olimpico this Sunday evening.
Roma
Roma are coming into this game after a disappointing 2-1 defeat against Atalanta in last weekend’s top-of-the-table clash at Gewiss Stadium. The loss extended Roma’s winless run in the league to three games, seeing them miss out on an opportunity to topple Atalanta, who were tied on points with the Giallorossi before the game.
Charles De Ketelaere’s quick brace was enough to secure maximum points for Atalanta, despite Lorenzo Pellegrini’s consolation goal from the spot. With 60 points, Daniele De Rossi’s men sit in sixth place, three points adrift of fifth-placed Atalanta, who have one game in hand.
With recent developments confirming Serie A will have five representatives in the UCL next season, fifth place now remains the only automatic Champions League slot open for contention. Roma will be counting on a slip-up from Atalanta against Lecce on Saturday, which could increase their chances of finishing in the final Champions League position.
Roma boasts a superior head-to-head record against Sunday’s opponents, having gone unbeaten in 16 of their last 17 meetings in Serie A. Additionally, the hosts have avoided defeat in 36 of the last 37 home games against the visitors.
They make preparations for Sunday’s crucial match, hoping these records count for something when they take on Genoa. Daniele De Rossi is expected to keep the familiar 4-3-3, with Tommaso Baldanzi, Romelu Lukaku, and Stephan El Shaarawy in attack.
Genoa
Genoa extended their unbeaten run in the league to three matches after a 2-1 victory against U.S. Sassuolo Calcio last weekend. With 46 points, Il Grifone are in 11th place, four points adrift of 10th-placed Torino.
With two games left to play, Genoa will be looking to increase their chances of finishing in the upper half of the table when they take on Roma on Sunday. Furthermore, Alberto Gilardino’s side could also complete a league double over Roma, having recorded a resounding 4-1 victory over Sunday’s hosts in the reverse fixture in September 2023.
A 3-5-2 formation is expected from Alberto Gilardino against Roma, with Albert Gudmundsson and Mateo Retegui in attack.
