Probable Formations: Roma v Juventus

All season long I’ve had to start these probable formation pieces with disheartening injury news, listing off a hand full of players that’d be missing the upcoming match. However, this week, that list doesn’t have a single name on it. With the returns of Captain Daniele De Rossi and Davide Santon from long injury layoffs, coupled with Alessandro Florenzi’s feared injury not being serious, Roma are operating at full strength in terms of manpower. Shocking, I know.

The Giallorossi will have to rebound quickly after last week’s disappointing draw in Genoa that all but saw their Champions League hopes dashed as they welcome the Old Lady into the Olimpico. Ranieri will again likely opt for a 4-2-3-1 to combat Juve’s 4-3-3 set-up.

Antonio Mirante has cemented his place as Roma’s starting keeper during Ranieri’s reign. In front of him will be the in-form pairing of Federico Fazio and Kostas Manolas at center back. Meanwhile, Aleksandar Kolarov and the recently declared fit Alessandro Florenzi should man the full back positions.

Despite being out for quite some time, De Rossi is expected to start in the double pivot alongside Bryan Cristante. It may come as a bit of a surprise, but these are the kind of matches De Rossi lives for.

Meanwhile, the attacking trio behind Edin Dzeko looks like it could be all Italian. Stephan El Shaarawy, whose been in sizzling form will start on the left. Starting in the trequartista position is expected to be Lorenzo Pellegrini. Lastly, Nicoló Zaniolo is holding a slight edge in the ballottaggio over Justin Kluivert and Cengiz Ünder to start on the right, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.