Probable Formations: Roma v Parma

Today will be the last time that we see Daniele De Rossi’s name on a Roma line-up card. It will be a bittersweet experience; bitter for the way he was taken away from us so suddenly, yet sweet because we got to enjoy him representing the Giallorossi for 18 years. As he bids Roma Arrivederci let’s hope that the side Claudio Ranieri builds around him can leave him with the sweet taste of victory rather than the bitterness of defeat one last time.

Roma will have a full roster at its disposal when it hosts Parma at the Olimpico. In what has been rarer than a UFO sighting, Roma have a completely blank injured list.

Ranieri is again expected to employ a 4-2-3-1 in a game that Roma must win to keep its minuscule Champions League hopes alive. Starting in net will be Antonio Mirante, who has been nothing short of fantastic since taking over for Robin Olsen. In front of him will be Federico Fazio and Kostas Manolas in the center of defense; after the Greek missed last match. Alessandro Florenzi and Aleksandar Kolarov round out the defense at the fullback positions.

The double pivot in the heart of the midfield will of course feature De Rossi. He will be flanked by Bryan Cristante, someone he heaped special praise on during his farewell press conference.

In attack, Dzeko will lead the line in what also figures to be his last match in a Roma shirt. Stephan El Shaarawy, Roma’s leading scorer, will start on the left side of attack. Meanwhile, Lorenzo Pellegrini is expected to start at the trequartista position. The biggest question mark is who starts on the right wing. Various publications have either Nicolò Zaniolo, Cengiz Ünder, or Justin Kluivert getting the nod. Don’t be surprised to see any of the three. The line-up below is courtesy of Gazzetta dello Sport.