Serie A | Roma v Genoa: Match Preview
An enticing Serie A encounter awaits as Roma host Genoa at the Stadio Olimpico on Friday evening. With just a single point separating the two sides in the middle of the table, both teams will be eager to gain the upper hand and continue their recent positive momentum. The post Serie A | Roma v Genoa: Match Preview appeared first on FootItalia.com.
An enticing Serie A encounter awaits as Roma host Genoa at the Stadio Olimpico on Friday evening. With just a single point separating the two sides in the middle of the table, both teams will be eager to gain the upper hand and continue their recent positive momentum.
The Giallorossi have experienced a notable upturn in form since the return of Claudio Ranieri to the dugout. Unbeaten in their last five matches across all competitions, Roma have shown renewed spirit and determination. Their most recent outing, a 2-2 draw away at Bologna, exemplified this fighting spirit as Artem Dovbyk converted a late penalty to salvage a point.
Ranieri’s impact has been evident, with Roma climbing to 10th place in the Serie A standings. The capital club began 2025 on a high note, securing a morale-boosting victory in the Derby della Capitale against Lazio. Now, with a hectic schedule on the horizon including crucial Europa League fixtures and a Coppa Italia quarter-final, Roma will be keen to maintain their momentum.
Genoa, under the guidance of Patrick Vieira, have also enjoyed a remarkable turnaround in fortunes. The Grifone have lost just once in their last ten league matches, keeping an impressive six clean sheets during this period. Their most recent outing saw them secure their first home victory of the season, a 1-0 win over Parma.
Vieira’s influence has been transformative, gradually lifting Genoa up the table to their current 11th place position. Perhaps most impressively, Genoa are unbeaten in their last five away matches, showcasing a newfound resilience on their travels.
For Roma, the partnership of Artem Dovbyk and Paulo Dybala will be crucial. Dybala, set to make his 100th appearance for the club, has been in fine form recently, contributing to four goals in his last four league outings.
Genoa will look to their top scorer Andrea Pinamonti to lead the line, while the potential return of Junior Messias from injury could provide a boost to their attacking options.
Team News
Roma are nearly at full strength, with only Bryan Cristante expected to miss out due to an ankle injury. Ranieri may opt to field an unchanged lineup from their recent positive results.
Genoa, however, are dealing with a longer list of absentees. Captain Milan Badelj is the latest casualty, joining Vitinha, Brooke Norton-Cuffy, Caleb Ekuban, Ruslan Malinovskyi, and Honest Ahanor on the sidelines.
Expected Starting XIs
Roma: Svilar; Mancini, Hummels, Ndicka; Saelemaekers, Kone, Paredes, Pellegrini, Angelino; Dybala, Dovbyk
Genoa: Leali; De Winter, Bani, Vasquez, Martin; Kasa; Zanoli, Frendrup, Thorsby, Miretti; Pinamonti
Match Prediction
This match presents an intriguing tactical battle between Ranieri’s pragmatic approach and Vieira’s more progressive style. Roma’s home form has been strong, winning their last five at the Olimpico and scoring at least twice in each of those victories. However, Genoa’s resilience on the road cannot be underestimated.
The reverse fixture earlier this season ended in a 1-1 draw, with Genoa snatching a last-gasp equalizer. Given both teams’ recent form and the tight nature of their previous encounters, another closely contested affair seems likely.
Prediction: Roma 2-1 Genoa
The post Serie A | Roma v Genoa: Match Preview appeared first on FootItalia.com.
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