Roma Travel to Bologna for First Road Test

Fonseca Football has begun to take the capital by storm over the past week. The Giallorossi have exploded for eight goals in their last two matches and have scored 11 times in four matches thus far. The defense may need work, but the offense is already in high gear. Now, the Giallorossi will take their talents outside of the Eternal City for their first true road match. First stop on the Fonseca Football Tour: Bologna.

Roma arrives in Emilia-Romagna to face a formidable opponent in the Rossoblu. Bologna has started the season off on the right foot, sitting joint second on the Serie A table on seven points. The Rossoblu are unbeaten in three matches, including a crazy come from behind victory over Brescia last weekend. Bologna was three nil down before scoring a quartet of goals up a man.

Bologna v Roma: September 22nd. 15:00 CET/9:00 EDT. Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, Bologna

The Rossoblu are said to have been inspired by a half time speech from ailing manager Sinisa Mihajlovic. The Serbian is currently fighting leukemia and his fighting spirit has seemingly rubbed off on his side. However, the Rossoblu are more than just grinta and fighting spirit.

Bologna boasts a formidable attack of its own, led by Italy U21 international Riccardo Orsolini. Roma will have to be attentive on defense to avoid being hit on the break by Orsolini and company. The Giallorossi will also have to be wary of Mattia too, as he will certainly be motivated to beat his ex-team.

In order to keep up their high scoring ways, the Giallorossi will have to beat another ex; Lukas Skorupski in goal. Skorupski tends to raise his game when he faces Roma. However, the defense in front of him is far from watertight. Roma’s hot attack should be encouraged after seeing Brescia score three before half on Bologna.

Roma’s unbeaten start to the season looks a lot more positive after picking up the three points against Sassuolo on Sunday. Thus far, Roma has been able to cope with injuries in attack to Cengiz Ünder and Diego Perotti, thanks to others stepping up. Henrikh Mkhitaryan had a fine debut performance last week, while Justin Kluivert has begun to find his scoring touch. However, the real stars this past week were Lorenzo Pellegrini on Sunday and Nicolò Zaniolo on Thursday. The rotation of that quartet behind Edin Dzeko has allowed the attack not to skip a beat.

Meanwhile, Roma looked stouter in defense thanks to Jordan Veretout in midfield. The Frenchman showed just why he was pursued by Gianluca Petrachi this summer. He has a motor and could be key in protecting a vulnerable defense this season. If Gianluca Mancini continues to adapt to the four man defense than the defense should become a bit tougher to crack. If that happens then Fonseca Football could continue to roll into its next stop.