Verdict: Away win
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Roma is searching for the first win in the Serie A when they embark on a trip towards Genoa. The game will be played at Stadio Luigi Ferraris, where they suffered one of the heaviest defeats. Backed by over 36000 fans, the hosts aim to bounce back from last-round defeat at Luigi Ferraris stadium against Verona.
Genoa
Genoa had one of their best seasons in Serie A after finishing last term mid-table without any relegation worries. Ending their previous campaign with a 2-0 home win against Bologna was the best way to make their loyal fans happy.
After spending a year in Serie B, Alberto Gilardino promoted Genoa to the biggest stage of Italian football by finishing as Serie B runners last summer. Staring their preparations early for what looks to be another tricky contest in Serie A, Genoa impressed in the friendly games by defeating Venezia, Mantova and Monaco.
This excellent run extended as the season began with a narrow win in the Coppa against Regigana. Despite asserting a complete domination with 13 shorts on target, the Griffin qualified in the next phase of the competition with a 65-minute decisive strike from Junior Messias.
Although the Serie A debut brought champions Inter at Stadio Luigi Ferraris in a contest that predicted a clear win for Simone Inzaghi s team, Genoa shocked the Nerrazzuri by scoring twice in a spectacular 2-2 ending. With the mood in Griffin s camp being red hot high, Alberto Gilardino s team proved that the draw against Inter was not a lucky affair after defeating Monza away in the second round.
Yet, despite an excellent start to their campaign, Genoa crashed at Stadio Luigi Ferraris by surprisingly losing to Verona (0-2) after a disappointing display with a single shot on target. However, Alberto Gilardino benefited from the international break to prepare for the match against Roma, hoping for a positive result considering the next difficult trip to Venezia.
Team News
Alberto Gilardino can t recall six of his players who are working hard to recover from injury. Right winger Junior Messias is a doubt for the Roma clash after accusing muscle problems. Fabio Miretti and Koni de Winter are the latest players who joined the recovery room, leaving Alberto Gilardino with limited midfield options.
Despite winning the Conference League and guiding Roma to the Europa League final in 2023, Jose Mourinho was sacked in January, leaving former legend Daniele de Rossi in charge of the team. Although the inexperienced manager revived his players and was close to guiding them to the Champions League s group stage, an end-of-season slump forced Roma to settle for a Europa League spot.
A summer break dominated by uncertainties after the departure of Romelu Lukaku and Paolo Dybala s contract up in the air, the American owners brought La Liga s top scorer Arthem Dovbyk to reinforce the attacking line. This move forced Tammy Abraham to AC Milan on a season-long loan, with all hopes to deliver goals sitting on the Ukrainan s striker.
Still, an alarming pre-season tour with a pair of wins in six games pointed to a difficult spell for the Giallorossi who are engaged in a long season with tough battles domestically and in Europe. The pressure is already mounting on Daniele de Rossi after a disappointing start in Serie A.
Despite facing accessible opponents in the first two rounds, Roma was forced to accept a goalless stalemate at Cagliari and was shocked at Olimpico by Empoli (2-1 defeat). This disastrous start sent Roma to the bottom half of the table before travelling to Torino to face Juventus.
Although Giallorossi were in a free fall, Daniele de Rossi s team displayed a different face by forcing Juve to draw (0-0). Following the Genoa trip, Roma will return to Olimpico to host Udinese before facing Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League.
Team News
Artem Dovbyk is out after accusing muscle problems during the international break. The Ukrainian striker was injured in training and did not play any minute in Ukraine s games against Albania and the Czech Republic. The player returned to Roma to work on his injury.
Key factors to consider
Genoa had a perfect start with results above expectations (W2D1L1)
The hosts defeated Mozna and held champions Inter to a draw in Serie A before losing to Verona
Roma s start of the campaign was hindered with results below par due to poor management of key player s contracts
The visitors last trip to Stadio Luigi Ferraris returned a shocking 4-1 defeat
Conclusion
Despite a slow start with results below expectations, Roma gave recovery signs in the previous round at Torino against Juventus by leaving the pitch undefeated. With several key players back in the squad, the visitors can build on the performance against Juve and win the first match in Serie A.
Verdict: Away win
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