Probable Formations: Roma v Genoa

The 2019-2020 season is upon us and with it begins the weekly question of who will make up Roma’s starting XI. With seven new acquisitions to date, Roma Year Zero is upon us, though the match day one probable starting line-up doesn’t feel that way. Pau Lopez, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Spinazzola, Davide Zappacosta, Jordan Veretout, Amadou Diawara, and Mert Cetin have all made their way to the capital this summer, but don’t expect to see many in the starting XI from the get go.

Of course, this wouldn’t be a Roma probable formation piece without first going over those missing out due to injury. While the list is shorter than what we grew accustomed to seeing last season, Roma won’t start the season unscathed. Just when it looked like Spinazzola would be the only one missing out on the opener with a thigh problem, Roma suffered another late injury set back. Diego Perotti pulled out of Saturday’s training with a muscle issue and wasn’t included in the match day squad. Meanwhile, on a positive note, Veretout and Javier Pastore have made their way back from issues that forced them to miss much of pre-season.

Roma have a new manager in Paulo Fonseca, who brings new tactics, but the formation will be something we saw a lot of last season: the 4-2-3-1. If the reports from Gazzetta dello Sport are on point, expect to see only one of the newcomers to start: Lopez in goal.

With Spinazzola injured and Zappacosta having just arrived, Aleksandar Kolarov and Alessandro Florenzi will man the full back positions. Rounding out the back four will be Federico Fazio and Juan Jesus in the center of defense. Jesus is currently favored over Mancini, as Fonseca acknowledged that the Italian is still adapting his new surroundings.

Having missed all of the pre-season friendly matches, Veretout still needs time to get up to speed, which leaves three options for the midfield double pivot: Lorenzo Pellegrini, Bryan Cristante, and Diawara. Fonseca confirmed Cristante in his presser, along with the center back duo.

In attack, Edin Dzeko will lead the line as the lone striker. Sitting behind him in the trequartista position will be Nicolò Zaniolo. Rounding out the starting XI will be Cengiz Ünder on the right wing and Justin Kluivert will start on the left. Perotti was slated to start prior to the injury, which presents Kluivert with a big opportunity to impress his new manager.

Gazzetta dello Sport